
From ICQ in the early 90’s until now, we’ve been staying up with the trends and helping business owners develop content that delivers ROI.
Are you wanting to make a change right now? If so, the following suggestions will educate you regarding the tactics you have to utilize to be competitive in 2019. This guide will help your business stay afloat in the social media marketing ocean.
There will be some very important action items found in the audit, and you will need to get those changed straight away.
Who is your ideal client?
It’s not enough to know about demographics, behaviours and interests. You also should investigate their habits, where they hang out online and what type of content is most appealing to them. Develop some sample messaging as well as key phrases and hashtags that will resonate with your target audience.
So, who is your ideal client?

This should be done regularly in conjunction with your social media audit. List three competitors:
5. It’s time for your social media plan! Don’t be scared and don’t skip this step or say “Oh, I’ll come back to it”. Take one sheet of paper and write the following information down: Business Goals
Look at the next 90 days and write down three goals as well as any challenges you might have to achieve them. Based on your goals, what should your social media strategy focus on? (Example: sales, promotion, brand awareness, new products to market, showcasing your general sense of awesome?) We always ask, what does success look like?
Audience -You already know this!
Marketing Goals – What goals do you want to achieve (they should ladder up to your business goals).
6. Where should a busy business owner focus their time? While the first five steps of this blog can be completed by your team, this can’t. As a business owner, you should stand out as the hero of your story and showcase that in your own way.
A Guide to Social Media for Business Owner
Which platforms your business is present on depends completely on what type of industry you are in. A visual industry like photography or interior designer, we think Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. A restaurant? Facebook, Instagram, TripAdvisor, Google my business.
Google+ will be removed and obsolete by April 2019 so don’t bother posting there.
LinkedIn
While you can task your marketing team with running promotions and following your social media plan on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and your LinkedIn company page, business is built on connections and you’ve got work to do. Get on LinkedIn a few times a week first thing in the morning and work those connections! Participate in LinkedIn Groups and add your helpful advice as an industry expert. If someone asks to connect with you, reach out and ask them why. It’s worth starting those conversations and becoming a LinkedIn Superuser.
Alignable.
Love it or hate it. It’s effective for generating business connections within your community. If you’re wondering what the heck is alignable or how alignable works, you’re not alone. They are moving to a pay-to-play model like everyone else, so its days may be numbered. Connect with us on Alignable. Alignable prides itself on being the small business network. It’s designed to be a referral network, which is why they consider themselves a social network for local business owners and have designed the platform to help generate referrals. You can generate interest in your business (locally) by creating an event or promotion. Alignable has a step-up over LinkedIn due to its hyper-local focus. You can read a step by step guide here.
A few tips if you’re new to Alignable:
- Use the search bar to look for local businesses to collaborate with.
- In the same search look for events.
- Ask people how they found you? Get the conversation started.
Get reviews and leave reviews.

Google my business is so important but you can likely give this task to your marketing team.
- Announce new promotions or daily specials.
- Promote the visibility of new and upcoming events.
- Highlight some of your newest products or best-sellers.
- Take reservations, attract sign-ups for a newsletter, or sell a product directly.
While your duties as a successful business owner might result in a long piece of string, make sure your piece only involves the platforms which will help your business succeed and drive revenue. You are a master of your craft and you should be focusing on the things which are integral to your business. Leave the busy work of social media content creation to the experts!