Photo by Kagenmi via Canva

Shortcuts

1. Research Your Audience

2. Choose the Right Social Media Platforms

3. Use a Consistent Voice and Tone

4. Connect with Industry Influencers

5. Keep Up with Trends

6. Prioritize Consistent Posting

7. Take People Behind the Scenes

8. Engage with Your Followers

9. Keep an Eye on the Competition

10. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Bonus tip 💡: Build Your Small Business Brand with Hookle

Over three-quarters, (77 percent) of small businesses use social media to connect with customers, and 44 percent use it for brand building.

Is social media part of your marketing strategy? Are you struggling to see results from your efforts? If so, this guide can help.

Discover ten simple but effective tips to build your small business brand on social media below.

1. Research Your Audience

Video by Lululemo on Instagram

If you’re not getting much attention on social media, the problem might be that you’re not curating your content to your target customer.

What kind of person do you want to patronize your business? Do you cater to parents? Young, single professionals?

Lululemo above knows that their customers wear their athleisure clothing for numerous activities, and they showcase all of them on their social media feeds.

2. Choose the Right Social Media Channels

Video by Fenty Beauty on TikTok

Fenty Beauty is a brand that primarily targets Millennial and Gen Z women. That’s why they’re so active on TikTok. Once you’ve researched your audience, you’ll know which social media channels they use most often.

Whether they are constantly swiping up on TikTok videos or tapping through Instagram Stories, it's vital to tailor your content creation efforts accordingly.

Discover our helpful blog article on 'How to Choose the Right Social Media Channels' to make informed decisions and reach your target audience effectively.

3. Use a Consistent Voice and Tone

Photo by Target on Instagram

Target features similar images and the same tone across all platforms, from Instagram to Facebook.

Consistency is crucial to social media success and brand building in general. If you write every post in a different tone and style, it will be harder for people to A) understand what your brand is all about and B) recognize your content when it appears on their feed.

4. Connect with Industry Influencers

Video by Jupe on Instagram

Jupe is a clothing brand that recently partnered with TikTok influencer Miriam Ezagui, who has 1.8 million followers. It’s safe to say they got some attention after this collaboration.

Approximately 72 percent of Gen Zers and Millennials follow influencers -- people who are paid to promote products or services online -- on social media.

By partnering with influencers, you can reach a larger audience and introduce more people to your brand. You also create more opportunities for brand recognition.

5. Keep Up with Trends

Photo by Petco on Instagram

Everyone on the internet is celebrating the new Barbie movie, including Petco.

If you want to succeed on social media, you have to pay attention to what’s trending. Keep an eye on popular hashtags, TikTok trends, frequently used video recording styles, etc.

6. Prioritize Consistent Posting

Photo by Primal Kitchen on Instagram

Primal Kitchen is a healthy food brand that shares content daily on its Instagram feed (many of which are also collaborations with industry influencers).

Consistency matters in more than voice and tone. You must also be consistent with your posting frequency.

Consistency creates more chances for people to see and engage with your content. It also helps you win favor with social media algorithms.

7. Take People Behind the Scenes

Photo by Mindful Counseling on Instagram

Mindful Counseling is a modern mental health studio that regularly takes followers behind the scenes and introduces them to their counselors. They even have saved stories for each counselor so potential clients can learn about them.

If you’re running out of content ideas, consider posting photos and videos taking people behind the scenes.

Show your social media followers the steps required to make your products, or introduce them to service providers at your business and conduct mini-interviews.

8. Engage with Your Followers

Video by Halo Top Creamery on Instagram

Halo Top Creamery is a healthy dessert brand that does an excellent job of replying to comments on social media.

It’s not enough to publish a post and then ignore it. If someone takes the time to comment on or share your content, you need to respond (and respond quickly).

A prompt reply or shout-out on your Stories shows your appreciation. It also encourages others to follow suit so they can receive the same treatment.

9. Keep an Eye on the Competition

Photo by Bubly on Instagram

Bubly obviously keeps up with the most popular meme formats. They also put their own spin on this one.

If you aren’t already, start following some of your competitors on social media. Pay attention to the kinds of posts they publish and look for gaps that you can fill.

For example, maybe they haven’t jumped on a particular trend yet. If you can beat them to it, you’ll attract more attention and awareness of your brand.

10. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Video by Chipotle on TikTok

Chipotle is well-known for its presence on social media, especially TikTok. They’re not afraid to think outside of the box with their posts - they even shared a mocktail recipe recently!

While consistency matters, ensuring your content feels fresh and unique is also vital. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles or try something new. You might just start a new trend!

Build Your Small Business Brand with Hookle

Photo by Hookle

Effective social media marketing is critical to your small business’s success. Follow these tips and suggestions to enhance your social media brand strategy and achieve your goals.

Do you need help creating content or sticking to a consistent posting schedule? If so, Hookle is here to help.

Our AI-powered app is an excellent solution for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. It assists with generating, scheduling, and publishing posts so you have more time to handle other aspects of your business.

Don't just take our word for it - download Hookle and try it yourself today!