Why Social Media Matters
Social media platforms are powerful tools for connecting with potential customers, sharing your unique stays, experiences and products, and building a loyal community. With millions of users active on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, Social Media offers a cost-effective way to reach a broad audience, also known as organic marketing.
Choosing the Right Platforms
For small business, not all social media platforms are created equal. Step one is to focus on the platforms where your potential customers are most active, lowers your need to spread yourself thin over all the platforms. Today I am going to discuss my recommended top 3 platforms that best suit any small business.
Facebook:
Is ideal for sharing updates, photos, and engaging with your target audience. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners.
Instagram:
Can perfectly visually showcase your stays, experiences and products through photos and short videos. It's great for capturing the scenic beauty of your regions, mouthwatering food or the dynamic colours in your new products.
LinkedIn:
This is useful for connecting with other businesses, forming partnerships, and sharing professional updates. It is a platform to establish your business as an industry leader and to build collaborations - the key to any growing small business.
Setting Up Your Accounts
If you have not yet set up any of these platforms, I highly recommemd you do! I see far too often small business not utilising these free platforms. A place where 90% of your cusotmers search to see if; 1. Seek the
social proof you are real and exsist (too many scammers around today), 2. Decide if they will purchase from you.
Here I created a simple step-by-step guide on getting started on the top 3 platforms you should be on as a small business owner.
Facebook:
- Create a Business Page: Go to Facebook and select 'Create' then 'Page'. Follow the prompts to set up your business profile.
- Complete Your Profile: Add a profile picture (your logo or a beautiful high quailty image from your business), cover photo, business information, and contact details.
- Invite Friends and Family: Start by inviting your personal connections to like and follow your page. This helps to build initial traction.
Instagram:
- Download the App: Instagram is primarily mobile-based. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create an Account: Sign up with your business email. Choose a username that represents your business, ideally that matches your business name and domain name.
- Optimise Your Profile: Add a profile picture, write a compelling bio (who you are, what you offer), and include your links to your website or book now button.
LinkedIn:
- Create a Company Page: Go to LinkedIn and select 'Work' then 'Create a Company Page'. Follow the prompts to set up your business profile.
- Complete Your Profile: Add a logo, a detailed company description, and other relevant information.
- Build Your Network: Connect with other professionals, businesses, and tourism industry groups. You will start to find there are many you already know from your local regional and state tourism departments. Share your page with your existing contacts to gain followers.
Creating Engaging Content
The key to social media success is creating content that resonates with your audience. Here are some ideas:
- Showcase Your Stays, Experiences or Products: Post photos and videos of your operation, highlighting unique experiences and beautiful scenery.
- Share Customer Testimonials: Happy customers can be your best promoters. Share their positive reviews and photos.
- Behind-the-scenes: Give a glimpse into the daily operations of your business. This builds a personal connection with your audience, this is the biggest trend on all the socials right now.
- Local Attractions: Highlight nearby attractions or events that might interest your potential customers. Remember collabortion is alwasy going to be your biggest asset as a tourism operator.
Posting Regularly
Consistency is critical. Aim to post regularly to keep your audience engaged - make sure you keep up with the engagement - do not ignore your audience, these are your past, present and future guests, visitors and customers. Here's a simple posting schedule to get you started:
Facebook:
3-4 times a week. Mix it up with photos, updates, and engaging questions.
Instagram:
4-5 times a week. Focus on high-quality images and use relevant hashtags.
LinkedIn:
1-2 times a week. Share professional updates, industry news, and content that establishes your expertise.
If you find managing social media too time-consuming or confusing, consider seeking assistance from a social media manager or a digital marketing professional, like myself. We can help streamline your efforts and ensure you get the most out of your social media presence to attract sales.
Starting with social media might seem daunting, but with these basic steps, you can begin to harness its power to grow your small business. Remember, the goal is to showcase the unique stays, experiences and prodcust you offer and connect with potential customers in an engaging way.
Take it one step at a time, and soon you'll see the benefits of a well-maintained social media presence.
Happy posting!