An entire episode dedicated to answering listener questions!

We're dedicating this entire post to answering the questions YOU submitted via social media. We recently put out an "Ask Us Anything" call, and we were overwhelmed by your response! Today, we'll tackle a bunch of your burning questions from budget-friendly content creation to navigating negative comments and the power of partnerships. Don't worry if your question isn't covered here – we'll be featuring more audience Q&A in future posts!

I'm not a writer! How can I create engaging content for my audience without a big budget?

You don't have to be a Shakespeare to create content for your audience! Some budget-friendly strategies we recommend to explore that go beyond writing lengthy articles include:

Visual Storytelling

• Use Images & Infographics: People process visuals faster than text. Use high-quality photos, infographics, or even memes to convey your message in a clear and engaging way. Free design tools like Canva offer user-friendly templates to get you started.

• Quick & Informative Videos: Short video content is a powerful tool. Showcase your products, services, or offer behind-the-scenes glimpses through brief, informative videos. Many smartphones offer good enough camera quality for basic video creation.

And speaking of storytelling…

We talked about this more in a previous episode, so be sure to go check that out for more in-depth information. But be sure to focus on storytelling when creating content. Share your journey… Highlight customer success stories. 

• People connect with stories. Talk about your journey as a business owner, the challenges you've faced, and the lessons you've learned. This personalizes your brand and allows your audience to connect with you on a deeper level.

• Feature stories of satisfied customers and how your product or service has benefited them. This builds trust and social proof, demonstrating the value you offer.

Consider Alternative Content Formats

• Podcasts: Consider starting a podcast to share industry insights, interviews with experts, or discussions relevant to your target audience. Several free podcast recording and editing tools are available.

• Webinars: Host free webinars to educate your audience on topics related to your niche. This establishes you as an authority and allows for interactive engagement with your audience. Many video conferencing platforms offer free options for small audiences.

User-Generated Content

We talk about user-generated content more in-depth in past episodes, and there are also a few blog posts on our website relating to the topic. But to briefly touch on this:

• Run Contests or Giveaways: Encourage audience participation by running contests or giveaways that require participants to share photos, videos, or testimonials related to your brand. This not only generates content but fosters brand loyalty.

• Repost Customer Love: Share positive customer reviews, photos, or social media mentions with their permission. This builds trust and shows appreciation for your audience.

Repurpose Existing Content

• Extract Key Points from Existing Content: Turn blog posts into short social media snippets, infographics, or video scripts. This maximizes the reach of your content without creating entirely new pieces.

• Live Video Summarizing a Blog Post: Host a live stream on social media to discuss the key points of a recent blog post, allowing for real-time interaction with your audience.

Consistency is key!

Even with these strategies, creating content requires ongoing effort. However, by regularly publishing valuable content in formats that resonate with your audience, you can establish your brand as a trusted resource and attract new customers without breaking the bank.

What's the best way to respond to negative comments on social media?

You can’t make everyone happy, as much as you may wish you could! In a world where anyone can say anything from the safety of their keyboard, negative comments are bound to happen. Here are some tips for responding to negative comments, whether it be on social media, Google, or elsewhere:

Stay Calm & Professional

• It's important to maintain composure even if the comment is rude or inflammatory. Responding with anger or defensiveness will only escalate the situation.

• Take a deep breath before responding publicly. You can also draft your response offline and review it carefully before posting.

Acknowledge the Comment Publicly

• Ignoring negative comments can make you seem dismissive or unconcerned. Acknowledge the comment publicly and thank the user for bringing it to your attention.

Apologize Sincerely (if it’s warranted, of course)

• If the negative comment highlights a genuine mistake or shortcoming on your part, offer a sincere apology. Take ownership of the issue and assure the customer that you'll take steps to rectify it.

Offer to Take the Conversation Offline

• Complex issues or lengthy conversations are best addressed privately. Offer to take the conversation offline via direct message or email to discuss the issue further and find a resolution.

Focus on Problem Solving

• Show the customer that you're genuinely interested in resolving the issue. Ask clarifying questions to understand their concerns better and work towards a solution that satisfies them.

Avoid Public Arguments

• Don't get drawn into a public argument or exchange of insults. Maintain a professional tone and focus on addressing the customer's specific concerns.

Use Positive Language

• Even in a negative situation, positive language can help de-escalate the situation. Use phrases like "I understand your frustration" or "Let's see how we can fix this."

Follow Through on Commitments

• If you make a promise to the customer, be sure to follow through on it. This demonstrates that you value their feedback and are committed to resolving the issue.

Monitor the Situation

• After responding to the comment, keep an eye on the conversation. If the user continues to be disruptive or unreasonable, you may need to hide or delete the comment and potentially block the user.

And most importantly, Learn from the Experience

• Use negative feedback as a learning opportunity. Analyze the situation to identify areas for improvement in your product, service, or customer service approach.

Should I be running contests or giveaways to attract followers on social media?

Contests and giveaways can be a useful tool to attract followers on social media, but they're not a silver bullet. We’ve put together a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide if they’re the right strategy for your small business:

Pros

• Increased Brand Awareness: Contests and giveaways can generate excitement and attract a larger audience to your social media pages. People who wouldn't normally follow you may participate for a chance to win.

• Rapid Follower Growth: Contests can lead to a quick surge in followers, especially if the prize is appealing to your target audience.

• Boosted Engagement: Contests often encourage participants to like, comment, and share your posts, leading to higher engagement and increased visibility on social media algorithms.

• Generate User-Generated Content: You can encourage participants to share photos or videos related to your brand as part of the contest entry, creating valuable user-generated content.

Cons

• Attracting Inauthentic Followers: People may follow you solely for the chance to win, not because they're genuinely interested in your brand. These followers are less likely to engage with your content long-term and may unfollow you after the contest ends.

• Short Term Gains; The follower growth from contests might not be sustainable. Once the contest is over, many followers may lose interest and disengage.

• Focus on Winning, Not Brand Building: The focus might shift to winning the prize rather than learning about your brand or products. This can make it difficult to build meaningful connections with potential customers.

• Cost of Prizes: Depending on the prize, contests can be expensive to run. Consider the cost of the prize itself, as well as any additional marketing efforts needed to promote the contest.

When Contests Can Be Effective

• Clear Goals: If you have clear goals beyond just follower growth, like generating leads or promoting a new product launch, contests can be a strategic tool.

• Targeted Approach: Tailor your contest to attract the kind of followers you want. Offer prizes relevant to your target audience and set entry requirements that encourage engagement with your brand.

• Long-Term Strategy: Don't rely solely on contests to build your social media presence. Combine contests with other strategies like content creation and social media engagement to nurture a loyal following.

Alternatives to Consider

• Offer Valuable Content: Focus on creating engaging and informative content that resonates with your target audience. This establishes your brand as a thought leader and attracts followers organically.

• Run Targeted Ads: Consider running social media ad campaigns to reach a more targeted audience interested in your offerings. This allows you to attract high-quality followers with a greater chance of converting into customers.

• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with relevant social media influencers to reach a wider audience and leverage their credibility.

Contests and giveaways can be a fun and engaging way to attract followers on social media, but they should be part of a comprehensive social media strategy.  Consider your goals, target audience, and budget before launching a contest.  Focus on building long-term relationships with your followers by offering valuable content and engaging interactions.

Would partnering with other local businesses be a good marketing strategy?

Absolutely! Partnering with other local businesses can be a fantastic marketing strategy for several reasons:

Increases your reach and audience

• By collaborating with complementary businesses, you gain access to their audience, expanding your reach beyond your existing customer base.

• Promote each other’s products or services through social media mentions, co-branded promotions, or joint events. This exposes you to a wide audience interested in similar offerings.

• For example, one of our clients does this really well. She is a lash technician and regularly runs events with those who provide botox or spray tans. Imagine being able to knock all of those services out in one visit!?

Enhances brand credibility

• As they say, there is strength in numbers. Partnering with established local businesses reinforces your own brand credibility and trustworthiness.

• These collaborations showcase your knowledge and expertise within your field, building trust and confidence with potential customers.

Is cost-effective marketing

• I like to call this resource sharing. Co-host events, share marketing materials, or simply cross-post each other on social media. This leverages combined resources, reducing individual marketing costs.

• I would recommend partnering with businesses that complement your offerings without directly competing. This allows you to offer a more comprehensive solution to customers, potentially increasing sales for both parties.

Boosts local community engagement

• Local partnerships enhance your connection to the community, fostering goodwill and positive brand perception.

• Customers often appreciate businesses that support each other and contribute to the local economy.

By partnering strategically with other local businesses, you can expand your reach, build brand credibility, and achieve marketing success without breaking the bank.

Is email marketing still relevant? How do I build an email list and get people to open my emails?

YES! Email marketing still remains a highly effective marketing tool for small businesses. Here’s why:

High Return on Investment (or ROI)

• Compared to other channels, email marketing tends to offer a significant return on every dollar spent.

Direction Communication

• Email allows you to connect directly with your target audience, allowing you to nurture more personal relationships outside of social media.

Targeted Messaging

• Segment your email list to send targeted messages that resonate with specific customer interests and needs. It’s not always a one size fits all approach.

Measurable Results

• Email marketing platforms provide valuable metrics to track open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates, allowing you to refine your strategies for better results.

The first step in building your email list is getting people to subscribe. What might some of those tactics look like?

• Offer value incentives: Entice users with downloadable resources, exclusive discounts, or early access to new products in exchange for their email address.

• Signup forms on your website: Strategically place signup forms on your website, such as the homepage, blog posts, or landing pages after gated content.

• Social media integration: Include signup options on your social media profiles and encourage followers to subscribe.

• In-store opt-ins: If you have a physical location, offer in-store signup options at checkout or through loyalty programs.

• Lead magnets: Provide valuable free content like e-books, white papers, or webinars in exchange for email addresses.

And that all sounds great, right? But once you’ve got the list of email addresses, how do you get them to actually open your email? Here’s some of our tips:

• Make sure you have clear, concise and intriguing subject lines

• Segment your list based on demographics, interests, or purchase history

• Use subscribers’ names or personalize the email content whenever possible for a more engaging experience

• Ensure your emails display correctly on mobile devices

• Maintain a consistent sending schedule to establish a rhythm and to stay top-of-mind with your audience.

• Focus on delivering valuable content that educates, entertains, or informs your audience,

• Include clear calls to action within your emails. Prompt the recipient to take a desired action, such as visiting your website or making a purchase.

• And most importantly, do not overwhelm your audience with too many emails.

That may have been more information than you were looking for from that answer, but by implementing these strategies you can build a strong email list, send engaging emails, and really harness the power of email marketing to attract new customers. Along with building brand loyalty and driving business growth!

Have other questions that you’d like us to answer? Send us a DM on any of our social media platforms!