Simple Ways To Grow Your Social Media Presence On And Offline

20 Sep Simple Ways To Grow Your Social Media Presence On And Offline

There are so many ways to connect your target audience on and offline, and you could be overlooking some of them. Read on to discover a few simple ways to grow your social media presence on and offline.

I’ve come across several brands who get a decent amount of web or foot traffic, but with social media accounts with fewer followers than I’d expect. If I see these brands at events, or walk into their brick and mortar stores, no sign of social media. When I circle back to their websites, again, no social media icons on the site. If there are icons, they are itty bitty or out of date and lost within the site. Sometimes the social media or follow buttons aren’t linked correctly.

[SIDENOTE: While we’re on the subject I’m not a fan these Facebook page like buttons on websites -> . I understand eliminating that extra step, but I like to see what the page I’m liking is posting before I like it. Anyone else feel like that?]

Being surrounded by digital marketing, it can be easy to forget that traditional forms of media are still alive and well and reach billions of people. More “traditional” forms of media are the perfect avenues to kick off an organic audience that is already interested in what you have to say.

Here are a few ways to grow your social media presence:

Include visible follow buttons on your website

This one may seem a little obvious but it’s a mistake I see often. Social media follow and share buttons are an easy way to grow your social media presence. Mine are floating in the upper right hand corner, as well as on the right side of my blog. All easily accessible and visible. Make sure these buttons are clearly defined and different from your share buttons. AddThis.com has great free tools to help you get your social links on your site.

You can be more discreet by keeping the follow buttons in the footer of your site.

Events

Events are a brand awareness gold mine. To grow your social media presence at events include hashtags on all signage, and any printed materials or flyers. Use social media icons but remember to include “@yourhandle” or “\yourhandle” so your attendees know how to find you. Don’t just pop a hashtag on a piece of paper, a call to action will encourage people to share. There are tons of other places to promote your hashtags and social media presence at events, get creative and have fun with this!

Brick and mortar locations

If you have a storefront your windows are your best advertising asset. I have to come through your door to get in and out of your establishment or maybe I pass your window on the walk to work – why not let the customers that visit your store on a regular basis that they can find you online with some window clings? If your business is more upscale you can bring the awareness to cards or print hashtags an handles on receipts.

Here is an example of some social media branding we had our client, Cafe Tallulah implement.

Brand original content

If you made it, brand it! You can include your hashtag, handle and website on your online images – just remember to keep them transparent and out of the way so they don’t interupt your photo.

On and offline ads

If you are a publication or magazine, use a page to let your subscribers know that you’re online! They are already reading your content, so these people are more likely to seek you out online. Many brands are also taking to television ads to ask their audience to engage with them online. We don’t all have TV budgets, but luckily you can run ads online and within the networks you’re brand is active on to grow your social media presence. You can run a like campaign on Facebook or a Twitter ad for relatively low amount of money.

Snail mail & email

Got a newsletter that gets sent out in the mail? or anything you send customers in the mail? Slip a card with all your social media channel links, and ask your customers to engage with you – let them know what your hashtag is. Maybe get really crazy and create a social media discount, let them know on the card that there will be a social media discount on your page until next week.

If you have an email list or newsletter, send an email letting your lists know where to find you online.

Experiential or “guerilla” marketing

If your company is already involved in using experiential events or campaigns, integrate social media. Social media can support the campaign, you can use it to create a contest or promotion to increase the digital footprint of the campaign or to use social media itself to surprise and delight them further than your stunt.

BONUS: Don’t forget to include links in your email signature! Another super easy way to expose your social channels to people you interact with.

These were just a few ways you could be missing out on reach and awareness. Be careful to not be obnoxious in the way that you brand and put hashtags on things, but be conscious of every opportunity you have to let people know how to find you or join the conversation.

Traditional media has worked in the past and it still works now. Get the best of both worlds and show your audience that you’re tech savvy too. Again this is a great way to increase your organic growth with fans that are much more likely to engage with and share your content because they’re already interested. The rest is up to you and your content.

I’d love to hear what you’ve done if I didn’t mention it in my post, leave it in a comment below.

<3 DhariLo