Social Media Growth Strategy

A simple social media growth strategy can bring new followers to your blog, clients to your business, and money in your pocket. There are so many guides out there, but these are the things I did to grow my brand to reach more people.  

Some of these really apply to bloggers, and some of these really apply to business owners. The key to true, organic social media growth is finding which methods work for you and using them the right way. Since I am both a blogger and a business owner, these concepts all work for me because I have found a balance in growing my social media through various strategies. 

1. Brand yourself

This is so important, and people really don't understand how heavily this can weigh into your success. A unique, classic brand that people can stand behind is what truly makes them invest in you. There are many ways to do this, but consistent, clear messages represented by crisp images are what have driven it home for me. 

I wanted to be known in the beauty industry for so much more than my spray tans. I opened MakGlow with a small goal in mind, but that small concept quickly evolved, and now I have big dreams for this little business. I want to reach people coast to coast, and I want to change the way beauty business babes look at their business. Stop looking at your business as a side hustle, and start looking at it like your legacy. Your end goal becomes much more clear when you think about what history your business will make. I always practice this futuristic thinking because I am known to overthink and reflect on the past. I say to myself, "In 5 years, what do I want to look back and see?"

2. Use Pinterest the RIGHT way

Pinterest is such as easy platform to use, and can quickly consume a lot of time if you're not careful.  I get into pinning streaks and just forget what I initially logged on to do. Most importantly is being clear so your followers don't get confused. Check out my board for an example of what followers look for in social media.  I'll list out some easy to follow guidelines on how to use Pinterest the RIGHT way to optimize social media growth. 

•  Create an easy to read bio that summarizes why you're using Pinterest. 
• Link your website, blog, or online presence in your bio.
• Keep your board titles short. Nobody will find your hair board through a search engine if it is titled "Mermaid Locks of Love" versus "Hair Inspo. 
• Be organized with your pins.
• Create links through your pins that lead to your business or blog. 
• Try to upload your own content to set yourself apart. 
• Feel free to pin other people's content throughout your own. 

3. Gain Engagement Organically 

There are a lot of ways to gain engagement, but I always recommend getting it organically because "fake" engagement never lasts long. Getting a comment pod together where a group of people commit to commenting on your posts will never last in the long run. Be on the lookout for a post about gaining organic engagement. 

Following to unfollow is against Instagram's guidelines, and it WILL get you kicked off. This has become super common with the people who want to start a blog or gain a following, but don't want to do it the right, but sometimes hard way. It is perfectly fine to go back and follow a toxic person, or cleaning up your following list (because mental health and the comparison game is real), but definitely make sure you're not following an account, gain their follow, and then go back a few days later to unfollow them. 

4. Be Clear 

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. Confused followers/people don't invest in your company. I mean why would they? If you are sending confusing messages through inconsistent branding, what gives them the reason to commit and help you in growing? Being intentional with the messages we send and how we send them is KEY for growing your social media. 

While I'm on this topic, I want to remind you that clear photos attract more people. Yes, the occasional grain photo sprinkled into your feed won't do any harm. It may actually help your followers realize that you're just another human being struggling to focus the camera. Here is a photo I recently posted that is slightly grainy, but definitely helped add to the aesthetic of my instagram account. 

5. Keep it Real Sis

In a world full of photoshopped, heavily edited photos, people CRAVE the realness in our lives. Nobody is perfect, and you have no reason to personify yourself through social media to be the perfect person. There is nothing wrong with keeping it real on the gram here and there, and I promise your followers want to invest in someone who understands that life is just as crazy for the rest of us. Keep this in mind when you're heavily judging a photo of yourself, or contemplating posting a funny video that shows your double chin. 

6. Build Relationships

My last rule for growing your social media is developing relationships with your existing followers and potential followers. Replying to a few DMs a day can help achieve this goal. They NEED to know that there is a real person on the other end of the screen. A conversation with a person through social media is definitely going to help them stick around longer. 

For all my beauty business owners out there, how many times have your booked a client and asked them why they decided to book with you? I tend to do this with a lot of my clients because I have major competition in my area for spray tans who offer lower prices. I always ask why they choose me over the cheaper person. 9/10 my clients tell me that it is because of our relationship/my realness. My clients KNOW who is on the other side of the screen because I am not afraid to build relationships with basically strangers. I mean, how could I possibly ask someone to strip down naked in front of me if I barely know them?!