Businesses all over the world are now actively using social media as part of their marketing strategies. This includes promoting their products and services on their social media pages, as well as communicating with their customers on various social media platforms. This only goes to show how crucial social media has become when it comes to introducing one's Business to a wider audience, and it's an insight you'll want to take to heart if you're overseeing an entrepreneurial venture of your own.
As a business owner who's hands-on about their marketing, you should be adept not only at using social medial, but at utilising each platform's most distinctive features. At the baseline, you'll want to maximise your use of stories and Reels, which can be found on major platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Your mastery of these two features can give your business a significant boost in both visibility and profitability. To that end, here are some tips for how to make the most out of the stories and reels features on your business's pages:Â
1) Promote New Products and Services
The simplest, yet most common use of stories and reels is to get the word out on a business's new product or service. With how much time people spend on social media, stories and reels have emerged as among the best avenues to advertise and reach more people. If you have a new offering that you'd want both current and potential customers to know about, posting about it on a story or reel increases its chances of reaching more people.
That being said, just taking simple photos or videos won't do. You'll want to make your content stand out from that of your competitors. Invest in equipment or manpower for your product photography, or perhaps even rent a studio for product shoots to give your media content a more professional look. If you're doing business in America's City of Angels, for example, you can try to look into photo studio rental Los Angeles services to find one that suits your business's shoot location needs.
2) Shout Out Promos and Hashtags
If your business is hosting a promo—whether that be an upcoming sale, contest, or hashtag that you want your customers to use—then posting about it on your social media stories or reels can significantly help generate more buzz for it. This is because stories and reels provide an audiovisual way to inform the viewer about the said promo, which makes it more memorable compared to merely knowing about it via email or SMS marketing.
Reels, in particular, makes it easier for people to share info and thus get the word out there for others to see. This could then catapult your content into the For You page of the platform, to be recommended to more people.Â
Meanwhile, even though stories disappear after 24 hours, the time limit can evoke the feeling of exclusivity. People may be more likely to click on your story right away out of fear of missing out.
3) Share Engaging NarrativesÂ
Another creative way to use your reels is to present a series of short form content that introduces a certain narrative about your business to your audience. For example, if you're running a coffee shop, you can post a series detailing how your baristas complete different orders. Not only does this give your customers a glimpse into how their drinks are made; it can also be a way to showcase the excellent work ethic, cleanliness, and efficiency of your staff.Â
When posted to your social media in the form of stories and reels, narratives like these will give a human face to your business—making people feel more invested in your staff and business's interests rather than simply looking at your shop as a place that sells them the product or service they need at a particular moment.
4) Interact with Your Customers
Stories and reels can also be rather effective avenues for engaging with your customers, which can then drive activity on your page while also making your audience feel much more connected to your brand. Post reels that give the viewer a reason to comment, such as polls, quizzes, or questions for them to answer, all so that they can actually interact with your content instead of just scrolling away after watching it.
For example, if you're running a business that sells baked goodies, then you can ask your customers what their favourite ones are from your selection. Or, perhaps as a part of a holiday campaign for occasions like Valentine's Day, ask your customers what their sweetest Valentine's Day memories are—and then add that they can make their Valentine's even sweeter this year by trying out your pastries. Encouraging interactions can make your brand much more memorable, as customers will come to associate your business with the stories they've shared or read from others under your posts.
5) Collaborate with Influencers
Last but certainly not least, reach out to influencers on the social media platform your business is using, and collaborate with them for unique content that will promote both your brand and theirs. You can either cross-post the content or share a story or reel that was made by your chosen brand ambassador.Â
Take note that not any popular social media influencer will do. Rather, do pick someone who you think can reflect your brand's values and selling points well. If you're in the business of selling cookware and other kitchen equipment, for example, it would make sense to collaborate with a chef influencer. This makes the partnership much more organic and even adds credibility to your product, as it's being promoted by a professional.
Any modern business's Marketing Strategy should certainly integrate social media if the business in question wants to stay ahead of the competition. Much of that will pertain to making good use of features like stories and reels to better showcase what a business has to offer to its customers. Spruce up your own business's reels and stories by taking note of the tips discussed in this article, and thus increase your chances of your brand reaching and appealing to more people.Â