Using Social Media to Level up Your Business

By Jody Bell

Attention all teen entrepreneurs! Did you know that using social media can significantly boost your business's success? Don't believe us? Well, the data speaks for itself. According to a recent survey, 71% of small businesses use social media to engage with their audience and grow their brand. With over 4.26 billion users worldwide and significantly lower costs than traditional marketing channels, the benefits of social media marketing are obvious. Plus, as a teen entrepreneur and digital native, you are uniquely positioned to use social media to reach new customers. In this article, we'll dive into how you can use social media to level up your business. 

So grab your phone, fire up your social media accounts, and let's get started!

1. Define your target audience

The first step in social media marketing is to define your target audience. Who are your ideal customers? What are their interests, habits, and pain points? Once you have a clear picture of your target audience, you can create content that will resonate with them and speak to their needs.

This can be deceivingly difficult - especially when you have multiple possible target audiences and you need to figure out which to prioritize. In that case scenario, try to think of which target audience is specific/defined enough to really target, while also not too small of a group of potential customers.  

2. Choose the right social media platforms

Not all social media platforms are created equal, and each platform caters to a different audience. For example, if you're targeting younger generations, you might want to focus on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. If you're targeting professionals, LinkedIn might be the best option. 

So once you have your target audience(s) set, do some research to understand which platforms that demographic is on most frequently. 

3. Create engaging content

Once you've defined your target audience and chosen the right platforms, it's time to create engaging content. Social media users are bombarded with content every day, so you need to create content that will stand out from the crowd. Use eye-catching images and videos, write attention-grabbing captions, and always provide value to your audience. Whether you're sharing industry news, offering tips and tricks, or showcasing your products, make sure your content is relevant and useful to your target audience.

As your brand and social media presence grows, you’ll want to start to create a real digital identity for your venture. This identity involves a consistent type of narrative in your caption, a similar (but not redundant) delivery of value, and some sort of link to your product/mission statement of your venture. 

Developing engaging content and building a brand is something that people spend years on. Check out this Hootsuite article for some more tips and tricks!

4. Use hashtags

Hashtags are one of the most powerful tools for social media marketing and can increase your reach and visibility on social media platforms. Do some research to find out what hashtags are popular in your industry and target audience, and use them in your posts. 

Not only can people search through the hashtag and find your post, but using hashtags can boost your post on the platform’s algorithm. Additionally, it helps the platform understand your digital brand and identity, and will suggest your page to users who follow similar pages. 

For example, say you sell all natural plant supplements, and you use a lot of hashtags like #plants #houseplants #organic growing. The platform will understand that you sell plant products, and recommend your page to users who engage with that sort of content. 

5. Engage with your audience

Social media is all about engagement, so make sure you're interacting with your audience. Respond to comments and messages, ask for feedback, and encourage user-generated content. Not only will this help build brand loyalty, but social media platforms love when you engage with your followers, and will often boost your posts on their algorithm if you engage more!

6. Measure your results

Like any marketing strategy, social media marketing requires measurement and analysis. Use social media analytics tools (usually offered by the platforms themselves) to track your performance, including metrics like engagement, reach, and conversions. Use this data to optimize your strategy and improve your results over time.

7. Be consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to social media marketing. Post regularly and at the right times to keep your audience engaged. Create a content calendar to plan your posts in advance, and use scheduling tools to ensure your content is posted at the right times.

8. Don't be afraid to experiment

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with your social media strategy. Try new content formats, test different platforms, and tweak your strategy based on your results. Social media is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques.

As digital natives, we have a huge advantage when it comes to using social media to grow our businesses. As users of social media, we know how to keep digital communication unique and personable - and we naturally keep up with the trends that many marketing executives have to consistently track.  

That being said, even when using social media as a marketing tool, it’s important to remember that these platforms are still the internet. Keep your parent(s) and mentor(s) in the loop with your social media usage, and ensure you are making smart and safe choices. 

If you have any questions or have suggestions for an article, please reach out to me at jody.bell@girlswithimpact.com. I would love to hear from you!

Jody Bell, 21 is Girls With Impact’s Editor in Chief and a program graduate from Greenwich High School. Girls With Impact is the nation’s only online, business and leadership program for girls 14-24, turning them into tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.