With over 3 billion regular social media users prior to the pandemic, there have been significant increases in daily screen time since it began. A study of 25,000 consumers across 30 markets showed engagement increasing 61% over normal usage rates. Messaging across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp has increased 50% in countries hardest hit by the virus. Twitter is seeing 23% more daily users than a year ago. When it matters most, people are turning to social media for updates and connection.
Social media is a fertile ground for targeting people with reliable information. If you are not regularly using social media as part of your campaign to build trust with your community, you are missing out.
Plus, businesses have found renewed value in social media and how they are using it. Data shows that marketing and ads have given way to direct engagement, meaning one-on-one interaction with other people.
Many users are on social media to pass the time and reignite a sense of community that they have lost in the COVID-19 pandemic. Smart businesses have used this time to talk “with” their audiences on their social media platforms. In effect, they have been using social media to get their audience to know, like and trust them.
Using social media to build customer relationships is a must. Think about it for a second – social media is where your customers basically live these days.
So how do you spend time making and building those connections and, ultimately, relationships?
Respond Quickly.
Pay attention when someone reaches out and put some pep in your step when you respond to them.
Make An Effort To Engage With Your Audience.
Responding quickly is only half of the battle. You also need to actively engage with your followers across your social media profiles. When you see someone responding to your posts, join in on the conversation. Did a customer post to one of your profiles to share their experience with your product or service? Take the time to thank them and provide feedback. Did a follower share one of your posts? Thank them and follow them back if you haven’t already done so.
Personalize Conversations.
Always use their first name when responding so that you are personalizing your response and showing them that you care. It’s the little things that stand out.
As we’ve shared, COVID-19 has users utilizing social media more than ever. They’ve developed habits that will likely continue when all of this is said and done. When you can provide helpful, informative or even entertaining content, people will want to connect with you. When they do, it’s your job to engage with them.
Don’t have time to create engaging, informative posts while also engaging with your followers?
Don’t know what you post or how to start conversations?
We can give you the resources you need to post images and captions throughout the month with our DIY Social Media Kits.
Let us handle the creativity and conversation starting for you for just $27 a month.
All you need to do is post the image and caption on your social media accounts and then communicate with your audience.