If you run a small business, you understand how important your customer is, but you might not realize how important social media is for your business.  Valerie Belusko, University of Illinois Extension Community and Economic Development Educator, says that it’s very easy to overlook key media strategies.  She offers some tips to add to your social media checklist. 

Belusko says first if you don’t have a social media management platform to stop and get one. Managing social media platforms can become exhausting, but there are many companies that help like Buffer, Hootsuite, and Sendible.  These companies help streamline marketing efforts by helping you log into all of them in one spot.  You can easily schedule bulk posts, track statistics, and insights, and create brand recognition across multiple platforms.

As always, Belusko encourages you to look at what competitors are doing on social media.  Even if you operate in a rural area with limited local competition, studying similar businesses outside your region can provide valuable insights. You can look for design elements, content quality, and audience levels.  This will help refine social media strategy for the better. 

If you are making videos, Belusko says to invest in quality microphones if you are going to be recording any verbal communications. Even if you record great audio, you can add more to it with subtitles, and if you can take multiple takes to get the perfect video you want to attract customers. 

Remember that building a strong social media presence takes time and consistent effort.  Don’t give up after a couple of months of posts.  Keep your business active on social media, ensuring your information and business hours are up-to-date, and communicate with your audience regularly to grow your business.  

For more information about personal, organizational, and community resilience techniques contact Valerie Belusko at 217-532-3941 or email her at valerieb@illinois.edu. Belusko serves Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties.