Since the nation entered a strict lockdown at the beginning of the year, the number of start-up businesses have boomed. It seems with every crisis comes a new opportunity, and people have used this time to turn their passions into side hustles. Start-ups data suggests that five new businesses were started every day – including the weekends – in April 2020 which is around a 60% increase from April 2019.
This meant that more business-owners and entrepreneurs were committed to ensuring their business runs effectively online, and learning how to stay relevant during unprecedented times. Olivia Hanlon, Founder of Girls in Marketing, used Instagram to grow her business during lockdown which now has a total following of 80,000 people across social media. In this article, Olivia shares how you can build a successful online presence to benefit your business.
Loyalty is royalty
It has never been easier for people to set up social media accounts claiming to be business owners, but never actually following through. When it comes to starting up an online business, it is important to gain a loyal following.
One way to do this is by making sure your business is producing honest and relatable content. Don’t be tempted to create bog-standard or false Instagram posts because this is more likely to attract an unengaged following. It is much better to stay true to your brand values then slowly build your following over a longer period of time, with a loyal community behind your business.
Build consistent branding
Make sure your social media pages and your website have consistent branding. When online users search for your business on Google or within social media apps, it increases your accessibility. Much like creating honest content, keeping your branding consistent also gains trust between you and your audience or customers.
Have a solid marketing strategy
An online business without a digital marketing strategy is like boarding a flight without a plane ticket: aimless. Without a solid marketing strategy, you won’t be going on a holiday with any winnings from your business just yet. Save yourself some stress and put together a marketing plan. Do some research on your competitors and analyse how they are behaving online. Make sure you’ve nailed down your target customers. What does your perfect buyer or audience look like? Set yourself up for success by creating goals, objectives and noting the tools and tactics you’re going to use.
If you combine these tips with a secure SEO plan, some strategic evaluation and a truckload of determination, your startup could be well on its way to social media success.
Visit Girls in Marketing for more business advice and marketing resources.
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