INCORPORATING OUTREACH INTO YOUR SOCIAL STRATEGY

I’m going out on a limb here to bet roughly 40% (I’m being generous) of businesses incorporate outreach into their social media strategy. I’m 100% positive that every company NEEDS to incorporate outreach into their social media strategy. Cultivating communications through social is something that every business needs to consistently practice. 

Wait, social takes up a ton of my time already and now you want me to add MORE?! Yes, yes I do. 33% of users prefer to contact brands using social media instead of making a phone call. The people are there! Before we get too far, let’s figure out what social media outreach is. Outreach is using social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn to raise awareness for your brand by interacting with other people or businesses to build new relationships. In a nutshell, it’s engaging with other individuals or companies’ posts on social media. See, it’s not too complicated and can actually be fun! Keep reading to figure out why you need it and how to implement it into your social strategy.

Why Do I Need It?

• It’s a great way to connect with potential prospects, customers, partners, etc. in a simple and FREE way. By building relationships with people and businesses online, it helps raise awareness for your brand and services. In other words, it can lead to more business! 

• 76% of buyers are ready to have a social media conversation with potential providers.

• Looking for influencers? This is a way to source the QUALITY influencers you’re looking for. 

• If you just want to hear the facts about whether outreach actually works, we have those too…

• Need an example? We have a client who is just breaking into a niche industry. We’re using outreach to connect with others in the community and drive people back to their Instagram feed to check out their new product and help increase their follower count.

OK, I Understand Why It’s Important, But How Do I Do It?

• In its simplest form, start liking and commenting on different posts from your business’ accounts on the social platforms you use! My favorite way to do this is on  Instagram (mostly because it’s my favorite social platform) but also because it is super easy. Twitter is also a great way to start engaging with other accounts because you can search hashtags. It’s possible to do outreach through Facebook and LinkedIn but is a little more difficult (though definitely doable) from a business page. 

• While outreach can be all fun and games, if you really want it to see the benefits in your business, it’s time to develop a plan. 

Step 1: Who Do you Want To Target?

• Prospects – Interact and engage with your potential customers to try to drive sales back to your business.

• Customers – Stay in constant contact with your current customers to let them know how much you value them. Keep them engaged with your brand/company!

• Influencers – Like I mentioned earlier, this is a great way to attract quality advocates for your brand. 

• Current Partners/Vendors – Build them up, be a cheerleader! 

Step 2: Set Goals – What Are You Trying To Achieve?

• Do you want to send people to your website? Build brand awareness? Drive sales? Gain followers? Knowing this will be able to guide the conversations you have with people. 

Step 3: Start Engaging. 

• Hashtags come in clutch here! Search hashtags that are relevant to your industry or the industry you’re looking to engage with.

• Follow or connect with individuals or businesses on different social platforms. I like to send a direct message thanking them for the connection. It’s a great way to start off the relationship!

• Like and comment on a recent post. If you think someone’s new office renovation looks super rad, let them know! It can be something light-hearted such as, “Looks like a fun day in the office,” or “Congratulations on your 5-year anniversary of being in business.” You can ask questions such as, “What is one marketing trend you predict in 2021?” You can even share a piece of advice.

• Did you stumble across a potential influencer? Comment on their most recent post about their favorite essential oil and let them know that you just restocked your sage sticks and they would go perfect with their whole vibe. Yes, I’ve done that. 

• If you begin to have a great dialect with someone and want to continue the conversation, take it off social media by asking if you can send them an email or set up a phone call. 

In a nutshell, outreach is basically online networking which in today’s world is super beneficial since in person networking is still a little iffy. If you’re thinking this sounds like a ton of work, it’s time to change your mindset. Set aside just 15 minutes a day to hop on your favorite social platform and have a little fun with it! Now, I’m off to do some outreach. 

Related Links:

Executive Social: Full Human Behind the Brand
Employee Brand Advocates and Leveraging Creators
Generation Social Media Podcast: Executive Social