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Educate Your Customers on Social Media? A Guest Post by Randy Patton

EducateBeing social on social media is no different then being social at a party. Get to know your friends and followers on ALL social media channels by listening to what they are saying. I see SO many contractors posting “stuff” that has nothing to do with their business and never commenting and engaging with their customers or other fellow contractors.

It is very important to be proactive and social on social media, that’s why they call it “social media” NOT social stuffy! Share things of value! It’s OK to be yourself part of the time, just not all the time, like posting scenery pictures every 5 minutes.

  • Be an informational resource!
  • Sharing your own branded content should come naturally. It’s the other two thirds that may be a challenge.

What is Social Media’s Rule of Thirds?

  • ⅓ of your social content promotes your business, converts readers, and generates profit.
  • ⅓ of your social content should surface and share ideas and stories from thought leaders in your industry or like-minded businesses.
  • ⅓ of your social content should be based on personal interactions and build your personal brand.

Why is sharing outsider content by other businesses or thought leaders so important?

It shows your audience that you know the industry like the back of your hand, you’re collegial and aware of competition. Getting personal on social media is twofold: build your personal brand on your own channels and be more personable on your business page. Personal accounts give you the opportunity to share engaging content, build a personal brand around your interests and engage with your followers. Businesses, on the other hand, can learn a lot from personal social accounts. Engaging with your audience over personal interactions opens your business up and shows a vulnerable, more human side.

Bonus Tip: Think Twice About Too Many Updates………
This has been said before, but it bears repeating. I have some connections that post so often that I’m afraid to say I ignore all their updates — there are just too many. Yes, all these updates can increase your visibility, but too many updates may keep your human connections from noticing the important ones — and it’s engagement with your human connections that’s really important.

Post by Randy Patton of Patton Services, a commercial roof coating contractor working with White Roofing Systems.