A Starting Guide to Building Your Brand on Social Media for Irish Businesses
Today, it is key that businesses have a social presence online. If you’re a business owner, it’s one of the best ways to reach your target audience and grow your customer base, but it can be confusing to know where to start. This is a basic guide to get your brand on social media up and running.
1- Know Who You’re Talking To:
First things first- who are you trying to reach? It’s very common for people to think social media is all about followers, but it is more about finding the right followers who are more likely to engage and interact with your brand. Take time to define your audience, and research what is likely to appeal to them and get their attention.
2- Choose Relevant Platforms:
You don’t need to be on every platform, but what is most important is your are on the ones where you have the best chance of interacting with your target audience. Generally, unless it is a niche market the most popular social platforms are common.
-Facebook: It is still one of the most used social platforms in Ireland, but not as much for young people nowadays. So if you’re targeting younger people, you’re better off focusing elsewhere.
-Instagram: This is ideal for visually showcasing your products, and it is very popular amongst all age groups but especially younger people.
-LinkedIn: This is very useful for building connections and showcasing your expertise. It’s not as much suited to targeting your potential customer base, but is a platform your business should be using.
-TikTok: If you’re targeting an audience under 30, this platform is ideal for showcasing your brand.
3- Create An Authentic Brand Story:
When it comes to social media, authenticity and honesty is key. People appreciate genuine, local stories. Don’t be afraid to share your business’s backgrounds, your struggles and your story. Some general guidelines to follow to achieve this are as follows:
-Show behind-the-scenes moments of your daily operations, suitable to whatever your business does.
-Talk about your local roots, share what started your business and your involvement in the community.
-Highlight what makes your business unique. This can be anything, whether it is using local suppliers, your approach to customer service, whatever details make people feel connected to your brand.
4- Create Content People Actually Want to See:
Forget about creating content just purely for likes and views. Instead, focusing on creating content that is actually valuable and speaks directly to your audience. People respond well to accounts and brands that don’t just create content for their own benefit.
5- Engage, Don’t Just Post:
Social media is a two-way street. If you’re just pushing out content without interacting, it’ll be hard to build a loyal following. Customers appreciate businesses that engage with them directly. To do this, do things such as replying to comments and messages, run polls or Q&A’s, and get involved in local conversations/discussions.
Building a brand on Social Media takes time and consistency, but you don’t need to overcomplicate it. Following these basic steps will get you started on your way to building your business’s brand on social media. If you need any guidance, or want us to help with your social media management, feel free to contact us and we can help you create a strategy that works for you.
