Maximising Business Presence or is Social Media Blah Blah?

The Importance of Social Media for Your Business

Let’s face it – social media can be polarising. Many of us love to hate it, dismissing it as a platform filled with useless information and sensationalism. We often worry about our kids spending too much time online. But here’s the reality: your potential customers are actively engaged on these platforms. They rely on social media for news, entertainment, and social connections, and many trust it as a source for content. That makes it an invaluable place to connect with your audience.

Where Your Customers Are Online

For builders, the main social channels are Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Older audiences (those over 40) tend to favour Facebook and YouTube, while younger people prefer Instagram. YouTube, in particular, enjoys a strong following among men. If you want your business to be seen, these are the platforms you need to focus on.

Getting Started with Social Media

You don’t have to be personally active on social media, but if you don’t want your business to fall behind, it absolutely needs a presence.

Steps to Establish Your Business Online

1.    Set up business accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
2.    Use Meta Business Suite to link Facebook and Instagram, allowing you to post content to both platforms simultaneously.
3.    Set up a LinkedIn page for your business and encourage your staff to list your business as their workplace.
4.    Develop a plan and start engaging with potential customers.

Creating Content and Engaging Your Audience

To begin, you’ll need a bank of content. This means getting comfortable with a bit of graphic design, using plenty of imagery and videos, and making sure you have permission from your team to feature them in posts.
Engage where your audience spends their time. Join local groups within your catchment area, interact weekly, and keep an eye out for posts relevant to your business.

Building Recognition in the Frame & Truss Market

Frame & Truss is largely unknown to most consumers – it’s mainly a carpenter and builder concern. By getting your business out there, you increase the chances of being chosen for these projects. Consumers appreciate feeling empowered, and a positive experience can lead to recommendations to their friends.
KPI’s – why bother?

To achieve meaningful results from your online presence, it is essential to focus on reaching the right audience. By setting clear targets early on, you give your business a solid foundation to measure progress and success.

•    Followers – Track the growth of your audience on each platform.
•    Engagement – Monitor likes, comments, shares, and overall interaction with your content.
•    Re-posting – Observe how often your posts are shared or re-posted by others.
•    Leads/enquiries – Count the number of leads or direct enquiries generated through your online activity.
•    Real projects target – Set and track the number of actual projects secured as a result of your online efforts.

Once these targets are in place, it is important to review and measure your progress on a regular basis to ensure your strategy remains effective and aligned with your business goals.

Handling Public Exposure and Online Challenges

Remember, increased visibility means your business may be judged more publicly. Be prepared and seek training to handle any online issues that may arise.

Taking Action

It’s time to be brave and get your business seen. If you’d like some help getting started, reach out to Twenty Nine Ideas.