Before I start, here's a short video from HeartofGoldGirls on Building a Social Media Presence for your brand.
Video Credit: HeartofGoldGirls via Youtube
This is probably the first question that comes to your mind if you are a Social Media Manager or someone who wants to make it in big in social media. If you have read my previous blog post, I have mentioned there the significance of having an effective social media campaign plan and social media management tools. Also, you need a good strategy, coupled with Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timebound goals if you want to succeed in this fast-paced world of social media.
How to Make an Online Presence on Social Media
There are many ways on how to make an online presence on social media, but I have just included the simple and effective ways to help you get started.
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Use your real name
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Use your real name when setting up an account with Facebook, Google Plus, Instagram, Linked In, Pinterest, and Twitter. Your name should be the same in all of your social media accounts. Don't forget to include your email address and phone number and add a short description of the services you are offering, especially if you are a social media manager, online freelancer, or online influencer.
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Choose a good avatar
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Choose an avatar or photo of you that looks competent, likable, professional and trustworthy. Have a consistent brand image across your social media accounts. Because it gives an impression that you know what you are doing, and you are open to your potential business clients.
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Create relevant posts
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Social Media is the best way to drive traffic back to your website. Always create relevant posts, and around 500 to 1000 words long. Add valuable information that will pique the interest of your readers. You can do this by looking back at your social media campaign plan. Know who your customers are, what social media platform they love using every day, what kind of content are they interested at, etc.
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Increase your connections and engage with them
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To increase your connections, try to identify your target market first. Are they business owners, doctors, engineers, interior designs, journalists, lawyers, or real estate developers? Try to connect and engage with them through comments, follows, and likes. Follow at least 10 to 20 people a day in all of your social media accounts. Don't go beyond that number especially if you have just created your social media account to avoid any sanctions.
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Be active and consistent
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Dedicate your time and energy in posting relevant content at least once a day to let them know that you are active in all of your social media accounts. Don't be discouraged if no one notices your content for a few weeks or months. Just don't stop giving valuable information to your readers. And again, don't forget to engage with your audience. You will get there soon enough.
Social Media is changing the way we communicate and the way we are perceived, both positively and negatively. Every time you post a photo, or update your status, you are contributing to your o
wn digital footprint and personal brand.
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Don't cheat
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Never buy likes and followers for your social media accounts. Don't beg anyone to follow you and re-share the contents you have posted. In my years of being an online freelancer, I have witnessed a lot of circumstances where people who want to make it big in the social media industry cheat by buying likes and followers for their social media accounts, most especially for their Facebook and Instagram pages. If you do this, potential clients will see you as someone who is not reliable and trustworthy at all.
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Never call yourself an expert
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Don't call yourself an expert or a guru if you are not. Don't make a fool of yourself. Please be honest with yourself and other people. It's way better to start from the bottom -- post relevant content, increase your connections and engage with them and make your way up from there.
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Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter tips
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Facebook Tips
- Post relevant content at least once a day
- Upload video, text or images
- Authorize Facebook to show thumbnail images for different links
- Focus on your followers
- Use Facebook Insights
- Reach out to other Facebook pages
Instagram Tips
- Post relevant content at least once a day
- Share some interesting things in your life
- Add 6- to 10-word caption
- Use relevant hashtags
- Ride on popular photos
- Follow influencers, and like and comment on their photos
LinkedIn Tips
- Incorporate SlideShare on your LinkedIn account
- Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is complete -- Add your educational background, employment history, skills and the services you are offering
- Choose a professional-looking photo
- Tailor your connection requests -- Send them a personalized message
- Participate in different groups
- Start conversations
- Connect your LinkedIn account to your other social media accounts like Twitter
- Study at LinkedIn Learning and get certifications
Twitter Tips
- Add photos to your tweet
- Tweet at least 1-3 times a day
- Retweet your tweets -- 8 hours apart
- Keep your tweets fresh and engaging
- Follow at least 10 to 20 people a day
- Use Twitter insights
- Use relevant hashtags
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Add social buttons to your blog
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Adding social media buttons to your blog is helpful to your readers for easy sharing of content. Please make sure to test out each social media button before finalizing. Twitter is one of the best social media platforms to share the link of your latest content. Retweet at least 3 times a day, with an 8-hour interval.
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Always try to research and experiment
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There is no exact formula for success, so always try to research and experiment, to see what works best for you. Get updated with the latest social media management tools available out there, join different groups on Facebook to have first dibs on up-to-the-minute social media news, etc.
Before I say my final thoughts, let me share with you a short video about The Fastest Way To Grow Your Social Media
Video Credit: Grant Cardone via Youtube
Final Thoughts
Making an online presence on social media is essential if you want to make it big in the social media industry. There's no shortcut to success. You have to work hard for it. And just like what I have mentioned earlier, don't forget to post relevant content and follow people every day.
Thank you for reading my blog post. Till next time. Blessings!
Written by: freelancermariagrace for Bitlanders