It’s no secret, people are extremely active on social media platforms. And that’s why many businesses have made it a point to establish their presence on this platforms. Some even have massive amounts of followers. But what if you’re gaining new followers every day, but still aren’t seeing conversions. What then?

What many Singapore business owners don’t realise is just because someone followers your social account, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will become your customer. So it’s not enough to simply gain followers, you have to know how to convert them.

More specifically, you need to know what each of these followers is worth to you in terms of dollars. Luckily, figuring this out is a straightforward process. Let’s talk about how to convert your social media followers.

Sign up for various channels

When it comes to social media platforms, it’s best to sign up for as many as you possibly can. Many Singapore marketers make the mistake of assuming that Facebook is all they need to reach their audience. And this simply isn’t true.

It’s no doubt that Facebook has established its place in the world of online advertising. And it’s also where a significant amount of the population spend their time. However, it still isn’t enough. You need to diversify. Depending on your niche, you will have more success with some better than others but ultimately it’s worth it.

Know your audience

If you want to make sure that your social media marketing strategy is a success, then you need to know exactly who your target audience is. And this can be done through intensive research. You need to take the time to develop a persona for your customer. Find out how they use each social media platform and how their usage differs by their age group.

For instance, let’s say that you have discovered that your target audience is between the ages of 18-29. If you have a Facebook presence then this is great because 86% of this age group has a profile on Facebook. However, do you have a presence on other social media platforms that cater to this age range such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Youtube?

You should allow your specific target audience to dictate how much time and energy you put towards any one platform.  For example, if your target audience is over the age of 70, then spending time on Tumblr or Snapchat would be a waste of your time and resources. However, if your services and products cater to a wide range of ages, you’ll need to spread your time and resources out among all of the platforms. Just make sure that your promotions make sense.

Remain active

Once you have the attention of your target audience, the only way you are going to keep it is if you actually engage them on a regular basis. And that means posting once a week is not enough. Whatever platforms your audience uses the most need to be updated often.

In fact, by posting on a daily basis, you can create genuine dialogue and interactions with your followers. When one of your followers ask you about one of your discounts, you can respond with the answer. This type of engagement does two things. First, it shows that you offer excellent customer service and the potential customer will be satisfied with their experience. Next, it shows that you’re willing to interact.

Those watching the interaction will always know that they can ask a question if needed and that they will get a timely response. And this will make your business stand out on these platforms. By offering a quick response, you increase your chances of converting your followers.  

Use automation

Monitoring your social media accounts can be a full-time job. In fact, the larger brands have entire teams of people that are dedicated solely to making sure that the company’s social media campaign succeed. But what can you do if you are a small Singapore business who doesn’t have the resources to hire such a team?

Well, if you run a small business and don’t have the time or money to devote your whole day to social media marketing, then you could always use automation tools. They can help you to streamline the process. Tools like Buffer can help you to manage every social media account you’re signed up for.

You will be able to both manage and schedule your posts–all in one place. Even dedicating one day a week to set things up will free you up for the rest of the week to work on other things. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t closely monitor your accounts. You should still pay attention to the conversation that surrounds your brand and the questions people ask.

Run promotions

Whenever you post on your social media accounts, it needs to be something of value. You need to ensure that your followers are glad that they follow you. And this means you should never post just for the sake of posting because inevitably they will unfollow you.

One of the best types of content to post is a promotion–specifically an exclusive promotional. This ensures that they get something from you that they can’t find anywhere else. Even those who never made a purchase from you will feel compelled to make a  purchase because the offer is just for them. So offer a discount.

Run contests

One of the best things about hosting a contest is that it encourages content that is user-generated. Not only that but it contributes to your brand awareness and exposure. The more attention you receive, the more followers you get. In fact, a study suggests that over half of people followed a brand because they were interested a promotional that they offered.

The best approach to this strategy is to come up with a simple content idea. For instance, you could ask your followers to post an image with your product. In order to officially enter the contest, they should tag this post with a certain hashtag. Once the contest deadline is up, you can choose the one who has the most creative image or the most likes. Just make sure the prize is valuable.

Reach out to influencers

Another great way to turn followers into customers is to work with a social media influencer. What makes this particular social media strategy so effective is that these individuals have a high level of engagement. In fact, studies show that they can increase conversions by as much as 22 times your present rate. Their followers trust them.

So pay for a sponsored post. And let the influencer sell your product for you. Sure, these followers may not be yours, but they can turn into your customers.

Conclusion

Sure, everyone wants a large social media following. But the ultimate goal is to have a following that actually converts. And there are several simple things that you can do in order to increase your conversion rates.

Your strategy should essentially revolve around your keep the audience engaged and entertained. The longer they spend on your social media account the higher their chances of becoming an actual customer. It also involves making sure that you spend your time and money wisely.