Everyone wants in on the social media action. However, it is crucially important to grow your social media presence the right way. So, just how do we get to that scintillating number of followers that not only impress by volume but also by relevance? After all, the golden egg of social media lies herein, the more the followers the higher the potential to boost your business.

Identify Goals and Objectives

Make sure you know what you are going after – before you start posting. Know what audiences you can reach where, and what your objectives are and you will be off to a great start.

Get Personal

Interact often. Very often! No, this doesn’t mean throwing up a link and hoping someone will read it. This means really getting on there and interacting with everyone. Respond and interact, all the time.

Share

Don’t be spammy – but don’t be afraid to share. Post icons on your website, email signature – get the word out.

Have a Strategy

Add all of your upcoming events, blog posts, and everything else you decide to do with your business into a calendar. This will help you stay organized and understand how each of your social media accounts will bring in more untapped sectors for your business.

Produce Valuable Content

Be interesting, create content that will engage your audience and make them want to read more of your stuff.

Optimize your Social Media Accounts

It is crucially important to use the keywords that go with your business. Think of what your customers are looking up on search engines, and use those keywords in your posts.

Use Hashtags

Hashtags are in these days. Everyone is using them to bring more people to their blogs or websites. However, please don’t finish every post with 15 unrelated hashtags #dontbethatguy

Branch Out

Being social is about more than just the big guys. Be present on the not so popular websites as well – this could mean social bookmarking sites, social review sites, and more.

Try Not to Outsource

Post on your blog, website, and social media accounts yourself and if you do decide to outsource, make sure it is to someone who has a similar voice to yours.

Do your Research

Be factual when you are making any statement about any business or brand. Know what you are saying,you don’t want to come off as ignorant.

Tackle Customer Complaints Efficiently

If you do end up with a complaint from someone on your website, tackle it fast and efficiently. Respond and be professional – even if they aren’t.

Whether you’re a large business or a lone entrepreneur, social media marketing can be the most inexpensive and powerful marketing tool in your arsenal to build the trust and authority that — in the best case — helps exponentially grow your business.