The complete 12-step guide to social media for business
With billions now active on social media, your small business can't afford to miss out. Here's AXA's guide to getting started on social media.
While there’s a good chance you’re already using social media day-in, day-out, knowing how to use it to grow your business is often a different story, and finding time to connect with customers online can seem like a big task.
Follow this step-by-step guide to social media marketing and take your business one step closer to social media success. Just click on the links in each section to access some of the best guides and advice from leading experts.
Get started!
1.
The basics
Over two billion people now have social media accounts - including your customers! So if your business isn't up to speed on social, let's get started.
2.
Set your goals
Before you go any futher, take a minute to ask yourself: what do I want to get out of this? Setting solid goals will help you map out the route to achieving them.
3.
Pick a platform
There are lots of social media platforms to choose from, but it's important not to spread yourself too thin. Instead, ask yourself: which platforms are right for my business?
5.
Writing a policy
Having a good social media policy in place helps establish best practice and prevent any harmful posting. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your brand.
6.
Setting a strategy
Once you've got your policy in place and set your goals, it's time to establish how you're going to get there. That means it's time for a strategy session.
Four effective social media strategies
7.
Content is king
'Content is king' might sound like a cliché, but when it comes to establishing your business as a trusted brand on social, it's a cliché to live by. Here's how to get started.
The beginner's guide to content marketing
8.
Tracking performance
It's not enough to post on social and hope for the best. You have to know your strategy is working. That means digging into the data. Here's what you should be measuring and how.
Ten metrics to track social media success
9.
The day to day
Once you're up and running on social media, you'll need to find a way to handle the day to day running of a social account, from organising a workflow to scheduling posts.
10.
Social customer service
25% of UK social users make complaints over social media, and it's rising*. But on the very public platform of social media, you need a sure-fire customer service strategy.
The best customer service exchanges ever
11.
Social media fails
We all make mistakes, but on social media it's all too easy for a simple error to become a viral nightmare. Here's some social media fails (and how to avoid them happening to you).
12.
Final hints and tips
You're almost a social media expert! So here's a round up of the best last-minute hints and tips to help you really perfect your social strategy for 2017 and beyond.
Building a great social media presence doesn’t happen overnight – like everything else in business, you have to invest time and effort. At AXA, we know how important it is to protect that investment. Find out more about AXA Business Insurance or get a quote today.