In today’s constantly connected world, potential customers live and breathe social media. Recent studies have indicated that in the US alone, people spend over 2 billion hours each month consuming content on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. And that number is growing steadily. This is great news for business owners who are hoping to leverage social media to increase their company’s visibility. Here are some great ways to make the most of social networking for your business.

Think about your target audience

Who are your target customers? If you want social networking to positively impact your business, increase sales, and attract new customers, then knowing your audience is crucial. So do your research.  Opening accounts on key networks where your customers are likely to spend time is the best way to connect with potential customers and get more attention for your business.

Think about opportunities that go beyond the major networks; many industries or interest areas have niche networks where incredibly passionate people gather to focus on topics related to your business.

Remain focused

If you’re just starting out with developing a social media presence for your business, it may be tempting to be everywhere. After all, there are thousands of social networks out there. So having a presence on all of them will surely benefit my bottom line, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case at all. Social media is about being social, rather than being everywhere. And if you’re running a business, chances are you’re stretched for time.

It would be nearly impossible to maintain numerous social media profiles effectively. Focus your efforts on key networks where you can connect with existing and potential customers.It’s also helpful to think about which networks you enjoy; you’re more likely to stay focused and engaged when you really like to spend time on the platform.

The 80/20 rule

Social media is about give and take. If you want your business profiles to be effective, you cannot simply spend all your time promoting yourproducts and services. Why?Because your customers will get tired of your relentless self-promotion and ignore you. The best way to utilize your social media is to spend 80% of the time engaging with potential and existing customers by sharing valuable content, being social, and making connections.

The other 20% of the time can be used for promoting your products and services. People will be more likely to share information about your business if you spend your time building relationships and creating real value for your contacts.

Social media management

Having multiple profiles can be daunting, so savvy business owners are utilizing social media management programs to make it easier to track customer engagement in one place. Services like Hootsuite offer the option of managing multiple profiles through one simple console.

When you’re a business owner, time is at a premium. Taking advantage of a service that allows you to track everything in one place is a great way to be more effective on social media. The best tools allow you to upload multiple updates, schedule postings in advance, and measure interaction over time.

Customer service

Many companies have begun using their social profiles to enhance their customer service. This is beneficial in several ways. By monitoring your social media, you can respond to customer feedback quickly and effectively. If a customer has a question or complaint, timely responses can help maintain and promote a healthy business image.

Your business will benefit from this proactive approach to customer service. Existing customers will appreciate your responses and share their positive feedback with others in their network. If a negative customer service issue comes up on social media, this gives you the chance to act quickly and show followers that you’re committed to resolving issues in a fair and timely way.

Social media is a highly effective channel for increasing your businesses’ visibility. It provides a unique way to connect and engage with customers, build relationships, promote your products, and enhance your customer service. If you want to take your business to the next level, start networking with your customers online today.

About The Author:

Julianne Parrish is a freelance writer that specializes in marketing and advertising. She writes for sites like Optiva Sign Company, that help companies drum up new business. In her free time she enjoys reading and spending time with her daughter.