So, you’ve set up some accounts for your business on social media – well done! If you’ve done your homework, or read some of our blog posts, you’ve probably put together some form of a social media strategy and have made your first few posts.
If you’re reading this, however, it’s fair to assume that your channels aren’t performing as well as you’d like – mainly, that you aren’t getting as many followers as you would like.
This could be for a number of reasons, but don’t worry – we are here to help!
Below, you’ll find the top 5 reasons why people aren’t following your business on social media and what you can do about it!
Posting too little or too much
One of the worst mistakes you can make with your accounts is not posting enough. Given the traffic going through most people’s feeds, and the way social algorithms are set up, if you aren’t posting enough you’ll simply disappear into the dark corners of the internet. Irregular posts will lower your relevance, so you won’t get put into peoples feeds as much. Furthermore, people go on social media for content – if you aren’t posting enough, what’s the point in following you?
Believe it or not, posting too much will harm your follower count in a similar fashion. If you’re spamming your followers too much, they’ll become tired of you and this is one of the quickest ways to stop people from following your business accounts.
The solution? Have a content plan. You want to hit the sweet spot of between 5-7 posts per week. If you schedule these posts, you’ll avoid spamming or ghosting your followers. If you’re not sure how to do this, or you don’t have the time, we can help!
Out of sight, out of Mind
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that people will find your social accounts on their own. Many businesses make the mistake of not telling their customers or clients they are online.
The solution? Spread the word! You can start with simple flyers or posters in your store or office. If you have business cards, put your handles on them. Have links to your accounts on your website. These are small steps you can take, but they will make a difference.
If you’re looking to really push your numbers, why not run a promotion or giveaway competition? This is sure to drive up your followers. Announce a prize (make it worthwhile), and set up entry requirements like the following; To enter, you must:
- Follow our Page.
- Like and/or share this post (make sure you request to be tagged in it).
- Tag a friend! Each tag counts as an entry.
You aren’t engaging back
If you simply post without engaging with your followers, they won’t want to follow you. Don’t forget the most important aspect of social media – the social aspect! The main reason people and businesses use these platforms is to connect with one another. If you aren’t participating in the conversation, people won’t follow you. It’s that simple.
The solution? Be a part of the conversation! If people comment on your posts, reply. If you get a direct message, write back. This builds trust with your current audience and shows people who don’t follow you yet that you care about your followers – encouraging them to follow you as well.
Relying on Organic Traffic
One sure-fire way to ensure you aren’t getting new followers is to rely on organic traffic. Unless you have the brand reputation of a Nike or Apple, people won’t be going out of their way to follow your accounts. So on top of regular posting, what can you do?
The solution? Take advantage of paid ads. For as long as there have been businesses, there have been ads raising awareness about them. This is a cost-effective tool you can use to boost your followers.
You aren’t adding value
If you are simply pushing your products or services, people won’t follow you. After all, no scrolls through their feed to see accounts yelling ‘buy this’ and ‘buy that’ at them. Your accounts need to be more than simple promotional pages.
The solution? Look at your content and think about how you can give more value to your customers. If you’re in the fashion industry, consider a gift guide or fashion inspiration posts. If you’re in the health industry, you could offer advice on topics of interest? If you’re an expert on a topic or service, why not host a Q&A?
If people feel like they’ll get value from your page, they’ll follow you.
Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be sure to notice a difference in the number of followers your business has on social media. However, if you don’t think you can manage this yourself (we’re all busy, it’s ok), we can help. At 99social, we can take your social media accounts to the next level for as little as £99. Get in touch today to find out more.