Getting started with social media marketing can be overwhelming for new business owners, but it is an essential part of building brand awareness, engaging with customers, and driving sales. Here are some steps to get started:

1. Define your goals: Before you start posting content on social media, define your goals. What do you want to achieve through social media marketing? Do you want to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, or boost sales? Check out some potential goals, HERE.
2. Identify your target audience: Determine who your target audience is and which social media platforms they use. This will help you create content that resonates with them and reach them where they spend their time online. Get started with finding your audience HERE.
3. Create a content strategy: Develop a content strategy that aligns with your goals and target audience. Decide on the type of content you will create, how often you will post, and what tone and style you will use. Check out this guide to creating a content strategy HERE. 
4. Set up social media accounts: Create accounts on the social media platforms that your target audience uses. If you're just starting out, it's best to focus on one or two platforms.Check out this guide from Hubspot with data and tips for choosing your platforms, HERE. 
5. Start posting content: Begin posting content according to your content strategy. Remember to mix up the types of content you post, such as images, videos, and text-based posts.Check out some ideas for your first posts, HERE. Watch this webinar on creating content, HERE. Don’t forget to check out Canva Design School, HERE, as well. If you only click one link in this guide, it should be Canva Design School.
6. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and messages from your followers to build a relationship with them. You can also ask for feedback and opinions to encourage engagement. Quick-start tips for engaging authentically with your audience, HERE.
7. Monitor and measure your results: Use social media analytics tools to track your performance and measure the success of your social media marketing efforts. This will help you make data-driven decisions about your content strategy. Here are some great tips for what to measure, HERE.

Remember that social media marketing is an ongoing process, and it takes time to see results. Be patient, consistent, and open to experimenting with different tactics to find what works best for your business.

You are not alone! We know that it can be overwhelming, and exciting (then overwhelming again) to start thinking about marketing your business. You’re not alone and you never have to wing it! Send us an email at wisecenter@syr.edu to get started with no-cost business counseling, where you can begin working on your business goals with an experienced and compassionate business coach!