In the age of social media, it’s no surprise that small businesses are keen to grow their presence on these platforms. Facebook and Instagram have become essential tools for businesses looking to connect with potential customers, build their brand, and drive traffic to their website or app. However, the obsession with page follower counts and likes is becoming a distraction for small business owners who want to make the most of these platforms.
One of the primary reasons that small businesses need to stop obsessing about their page follower count or the number of likes they get on social media is that these platforms are increasingly focused on generating revenue through ads. Facebook and Instagram are constantly tweaking their algorithms to encourage businesses to spend money on ads to reach their target audience. While it’s still possible to reach customers organically, it’s becoming more challenging, and small businesses are often at a disadvantage compared to larger, more established brands with bigger budgets.
Another reason to focus less on page follower count and likes is that these metrics don’t necessarily translate into real business results. Having a large following doesn’t necessarily mean that people are interested in buying from your business. Similarly, getting lots of likes on a post might make you feel good, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that people are engaging with your content in a meaningful way.
So what should small businesses be focusing on instead? In the 2020s, a presence on social media should be about connecting with customers who happen to use these platforms and sending traffic back to your website or app. Here are a few tips for making the most of your social media presence:
- Use social media to build relationships with your customers. Don’t just post content and hope that people will engage with it. Take the time to respond to comments, ask questions, and show your customers that you’re listening to them.
- Use social media to promote your website or app. Your social media presence should be a tool for driving traffic back to your own platform. Use links in your posts and encourage people to visit your website or download your app.
- Don’t neglect other marketing channels. Social media is just one part of your overall marketing strategy. Don’t forget about other channels like email marketing, SEO, and paid advertising.
- Measure what matters. Instead of obsessing over page follower counts and likes, focus on metrics that are more closely tied to your business objectives. For example, track how many people are clicking through to your website or app from social media, or how many people are signing up for your email newsletter.
Check out this REEL via Neil Patel that sums it all up.
In conclusion, small businesses need to stop obsessing about their page follower count or the number of likes they get on social media. Instead, they should focus on using these platforms to connect with customers and drive traffic back to their website or app. By using social media strategically, small businesses can build relationships with their customers and achieve real business results.