Top Tips for Gaining Momentum on Social Media

With over 200 million businesses using Facebook as an advertising platform, how does a small business like yours gain momentum on social media? I share some valuable insight on how you can grow your online presence with some lesser-known tips.

Guest blog for digital magazines

Guest blogging is time-consuming but a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Look for media opportunities where you can provide truth bombs and your thoughts on trending topics. It’s a great way to get your name out in the community and form a portfolio of work. You don’t have to be Shakespeare to write a blog or have connections in the digital space. Simply team up with a great copywriter and find a PR agency to search for media spots; they’ll already have a great database of contacts.  Make sure you also include a bio that links back to your socials. 

Consistently post valuable content at the right times

There’s a science to social media, and the formula to gaining momentum requires regularly posting helpful content at times when your audience is most likely to be online. Most scheduling programs like Hubspot or Sked Social provide intuitive insights to discover what days and times you are active on social media. It’s also essential to post regularly. If there are significant gaps of weeks between posts, you’ll likely disappear from your followers’ feeds.

Create genuine connections

Respond to DMs using a voice message. It’s a nice little touch that will not only surprise the recipient but also shows them you’re prepared to go the extra mile. In written messages, it can be easy to misread the tonal intention, mainly sorting out a problem. Audio messages to inboxes allow the recipient to hear genuine warmth and concern. It could be the beginning of a great friendship and profitable collaboration.

Embrace short-form video

Attention spans are changing, and while Marvel movies might keep us glued to the screen for up to three hours, on social media, you have around three seconds to capture someone’s attention. We’ve got the attention spans of Goldfish, so the best way to get your message across is to be entertaining or share valuable information via short-form video.

Short-form video is the driving force behind Tik Tok’s popularity and why Instagram reels seem to do so well. You don’t have to dance, but I highly recommend showing your face. Even if you’re not comfortable being in front of the camera, it’s time to draw on the power of video. 

Run regular giveaways

Giveaways draw crowds; after all, who doesn’t love a freebie. It is a proven way to gain serious momentum on social media, depending on the prize and what you require from entrants. Keep in mind if there are too many steps in the process, or you’re asking for too much commitment, such as subscription-based sign-ups, competition may flop! 

Alternatively, if you’re new to socials, don’t rely on large cash giveaways to cold audiences. Human nature assumes anything too good to be true is potentially a scam. 

My top tips for gaining momentum through a giveaway is to be clear about the entry requirements, make it a game of skill (this generally means you don’t have to worry about competition permits) and collaborate with other businesses for more reach and better prizes.

Harness the power of reviews

Did you know that potential customers are more likely to seek you out on socials if you have at least ten new or 5-star reviews on Google each month? Ekomi Australia, a reputation management company, revealed 93% of customers rely on reading six to eight reviews before making a purchase decision. Before finalising their decision, they will also seek out social proof, so it’s important to ensure you’re posting consistent and educational content as it’s the most powerful tool to gain momentum for your ROI. 

Don’t forget about Google Business Manager Profile.

Google Business Manager Profile is one of the most powerful social media tools for gaining momentum online, yet many businesses don’t use it to its full potential.

Firstly, it’s fantastic for SEO. Google gives local search preference to those who have a verified listing. Secondly, it’s a platform where customers can provide you with valuable feedback in the form of reviews. Sure, you might get the odd Karen who needs to exorcise her demons with a 1-star review, but you can turn that 1-star review into a 5-star with the way you respond. There are always keyboard warriors who are never happy, and customers understand this.  Thirdly, you can post images, offers, events and posts much like you would on any other social network.