Businesses that wisely use social media to interact with their customers and drive conversions will want to use those social media channels as effectively as possible. One of the ways to do this is to optimize social media profiles so they will make an impact and convey the right and intended messages to their online audiences. How can businesses optimize their social media profiles? Here are 5 ways we suggest.
1. Optimize Your Profile Pictures
If the profile photos you are using on your social media are not branded logos, change them. You should also select your background images or pictures specifically for meaning and impact. You want to make a positive impression on your audience and a memorable one. Using your branded images across all platforms allows your audience to match your online “face” with your words and ideas. You should, to the extent that it’s possible, make your handles match as well for the same reason. Sometimes on platforms like Twitter and Instagram it’s not possible to get the handle closest to your company’s name because another user may have claimed it. Do the best you can to come up with a name that is similar.
Different profiles will require images that are different sizes in order for them to display best large and small and on all devices, mobile or desktop. If you need a list of optimal images sizes for different social media platforms, click here.
2. Crosslink to Other Social Media Profiles and Your Website
If you’re investing the time and effort into social media and content marketing, you want your audience to know exactly where they can find you across the internet. Social media platforms will encourage you to link to your website, but some of them will allow you to list your other social media profiles. You should take advantage of this. Your customers will have their social media platform preferences, and you want to make sure your posts are in front of them where they want to be. Facebook in particular will allow you to create links to many other social media profiles.
3. Test Your Links
Taking the time to add links to your website and your web presence is only helpful if those links work. Make sure you click to through all of them to test, and update any links that do not work. If they don’t work, you will frustrate your audience. They’ll have to work harder to find you, and some won’t bother.
4. Add Any Relevant Information to Your Profiles
If you have blank profiles or incorrect information listed on your profiles, fix them. You want to make sure that you fill out every profile field. Give your audience the most complete information possible about who you are and what you do. Be professional with what you include, and use proper grammar and spelling. This is as important a part of your branding as the images you use.
5. Use the Same Keywords across Profiles
The research you’ve done about what keywords attract the most response to your website should also help you with the language you use on your profiles. Be as consistent with keywords and wording across platforms as you are with your images.
The above five suggestions should not take very long, perhaps an hour or two, to implement, but they will make your social media profiles more consistent and professional looking. They will also drive traffic and solidify your branding in your audience’s mind. If you have questions about social media, please call us. We are here if you need help.
