Tips on using online tools and social media for your business

As an entrepreneur, you are in business at an incredible time. Just a few years ago, the only way to promote your brand was by using expensive print and paid ads on TV, radio, and print media. But now you can grow your business on social media with little to no cost.

Plans before posts
There are now 4.2 billion active social media users – and they spend an average of 2 hours and 25 minutes on social media every day, according to HootSuite. Let that sink in for a moment. That’s 2.5 hours a day of engaging your audience, building your brand, building relationships, and of course, making sales. And best of all, Social is free to get started.

Before you dive in and start building your new profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and more, you need a plan. Take your time, because while free to use, they represent a real investment in your business. So make sure you understand what you want to achieve to ensure that your efforts are getting a good return on investment.

Choose your social scene wisely. Think about your ideal customer. How are you Where do you shop? Are they more on Instagram than Pinterest or more on Twitter than Facebook? Where you are is important to your customers. So stay where you already have a strong presence.

Then work out some business goals. Try the SMART Method – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely – and make sure they are based on metrics that have a real impact on your business. Acquiring customers, for example, is more of a goal than just getting likes. As soon as you have a clear direction for your brand, we’ll go online.

Tools You Really Can Use
Now that your plan is in place, here are some helpful tools from Nicole Walters, Business Coach for the Build Your Legacy Contest, to take it to the next level.

First and foremost is your social point of contact. “Before I got to ClickToTweet, tweeting was so time-consuming,” says Nicole. “It used to take me more time to tweet and focus on delivering my message, but now I can tweet on the go. It’s so much easier! “

According to Nicole, when you are setting up a WordPress site for your business, you need a safe and reliable place to store it. And that’s where Host Gator comes in: “They make it quick and easy to get your WordPress site up and running,” says Nicole. But if you want to build your email database, it relies on ConvertKit. “It’s the smartest way to keep your email list going! Sending emails to your customers is easy, elegant and professional, ”says Nicole.

And when you need to organize all facets of your business, BaseCamp recommends it. “That makes project management and internal communication the strengths of your company,” says Nicole. “Over 100,000 companies worldwide in every industry, from freelancers to the Fortune 500, have switched to Basecamp to manage projects, collaborate with clients and contractors, and communicate internally.”

Now that you’re ready to socialize, click here for insights and advice from experts to help you build your brand. ESSENCE® + Pine-Sol â„¢ have teamed up to help black women entrepreneurs take their business to new heights, so what are you waiting for? Let’s go!