Everywhere you look, businesses are on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube…the list goes on. While joining lots of social networks is a great way to grow your online presence, it does not guarantee that you’ll get fans, followers or subscribers. In fact, getting fans, followers or subscribers can be a challenge – often because you’re unknown, you’re not targeting the right audience, or you’re not posting enough (or at the wrong times).
While there are many ways to build your fanbase over time, here are 10 everyday places where you can find more fans, followers and subscribers.
Email signature
If you communicate with your customers or fans via email (and who doesn’t), make sure you also let them know you have a website as well as a social media presence – and include hyperlinks to them. Not only does it make it frictionless (one click and they are right on your page), but it also lets your fans and customers know where else you would like for them to connect with you at.
Facebook profile
One of the most overlooked areas on a Facebook profile are your website and work experience sections. If you have a Facebook page and an online business, be sure to add a link to your Facebook page in the appropriate section. Then anytime your friends hover over your business, they can easily like your Facebook Page.
Connect your social networks
While I’m not a fan of automating posts from Twitter to Facebook or vice versa, never underestimate leveraging content you post on one network across another network. For instance, if you take a lot of photos on Instagram and have built up a following (anything greater than 1 counts), consider linking Instagram photos to your Facebook page. Not only will you save yourself time, but people who have seen your work on Instagram, can now also learn about your Facebook page.
Writing on the wall is ok
The next time you write on someone’s Facebook wall, @ tag their wall. Not only does it look more professional, but when you tag your Facebook page, it makes it easier for other readers to “like” your Facebook page by hovering over your link. One thing to remember, use this one in moderation. Otherwise people might think you’re spamming them and block you.
Lights, camera, action – with video!
A lot of people forget that smartphones can shoot really good video – in fact, I have used a smartphone to shoot video for all of my YouTube videos. If you want more fans, followers or subscribers, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The more you let fans and customers know what value you offer them – it could be a look into your products, a history about your business, a different side of you than what they normally don’t get to see – the more they’ll consider liking, following or subscribing you.
Tag, you’re it
When posting photos, be sure to tag people in the photos. Also be sure to tag your page. This way when customers share your photos, their friends see who is in the photo and can like your page. On Twitter, a great way to get a new follower is to mention your Twitter account. Ex: via @ckroks.
Advertising on Facebook
If you have a little cash to burn (don’t forget about the FREE Facebook Ad credits being offered), a great way to grow your fanbase is by using Facebook Ads. Not only will your Facebook Ads get shown to people outside of your network, but if you target the right demographic – and people who have the right interests, you can grow your fanbase and reach the right people in a short period of time.
Social Media on printed materials
Although we’re using less and less printed materials these days, be sure you’re broadcasting your social media accounts on them. If you include a flyer in your boxes, don’t just include a Facebook logo. Not only is it boring, but it also doesn’t convey to fans how they can find you. This same principle also applies to letterhead as well as print magazines.
Retail locations
Just like with printed materials, don’t expect customers to go to a social network and look you up. While Twitter search works pretty well, Facebook’s search capabilities are atrocious at best. Instead, make it simple for customers to find you. One area I like to recommend to businesses is to include a window decal with your URL – not just a logo. Also be sure to encourage store employees to let customers know that you’re online and what they can expect from you, such as exclusive offers, coupons, etc for liking your Facebook page or following you on Twitter.
Teamwork makes the dream work
One of the best places to find more fans, followers or subscribers is by networking. Start with your closet circle of friends and ask them if they can help you out by liking your page or subscribing to your YouTube channel (don’t forget to like their pages or subscribe to their channels as well). Not only will this garner a few likes, but it will also expose your page to their network of friends and so on.
There you have it – 10 everyday places to get more fans, followers and subscribers. Are there other areas you look to to grow your customers and fanbase? Leave a comment below.
Remember, sometimes the best way to grow your fanbase is by making a few simple tweaks to how you market your business.