Rethinking How You Promote Your Business on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook

Imagine if dating was like selling on social media. You wouldn’t walk up to someone and immediately ask them to marry you, right? Yet, that’s exactly what many businesses do when they jump straight into selling.

Here’s the thing: marketing on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook shouldn’t be a sprint to the altar; it should be a journey of getting to know your audience. Just as you wouldn’t incessantly ramble about your life story on a first date, avoid bombarding potential customers with non-stop sales pitches.

In the following discussion, we’ll explore how to promote your business on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram effectively by creating authentic interactions that build trust and curiosity.

Selling on Social Media?

People Use Social Media for Entertainment

Folks are on social media to kick back and be entertained. These platforms were born for fun and distraction so you need to blend in with the crowd that uses it. Barging in with direct sales pitches is NOT the right approach. We should be wiser than that. Like dating, marketing on social media is all about the journey, not the sprint.

Today I wanted to scream at my phone when I came across a TikTok from a roofing company. Instead of warming people up with educational content or home improvement tips, they skipped straight to the proposal.

Strawberry Milk Mob: A TikTok Success Story

Strawberry Milk Mob founded by Georgia Costello is a brilliant example of a swimsuit brand that cracked the code on TikTok and blew up.

Georgia initially jumped onto TikTok with her swimwear brand, aiming to drive sales. Not long after, her sales-first approach flopped and she learned a hard lesson.

So, she did a complete 180. Georgia ditched the over-planned content and started flaunting her authentic self, sharing quirky glimpses into her life and relatable tales of dating mishaps. And guess what? That’s when things clicked. Doesn’t that say something about where our focus should be?

@strawberrymilkmob

Platform-Specific Strategies

Promote Business on Instagram

Promoting your business on Instagram requires a blend of visual storytelling and strategic engagement. With its visually-driven nature, Instagram is the perfect platform to showcase your brand’s personality and aesthetic. But how do you stand out in a sea of curated images? Start by crafting a cohesive visual theme that reflects your brand identity. Consistent colors, filters, and styles make your posts instantly recognizable.

Next, leverage Instagram Stories and Reels to engage your audience. These features are ideal for sharing behind-the-scenes content, tutorials, and user-generated content, offering a more authentic glimpse into your brand. Encourage interaction by using polls, questions, and interactive stickers.

Moreover, collaborate with micro-influencers whose followers align with your target audience. Their endorsement can boost credibility and reach. Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of hashtags. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to extend your content’s visibility, ensuring you attract the right audience.

Promote Business on TikTok

To promote your business on TikTok, it’s essential to embrace creativity and spontaneity. TikTok thrives on viral, short-form video content that captures attention quickly. Start by identifying trends and challenges that resonate with your brand personality. Participating in these trends can boost visibility and engagement, as TikTok users are inherently drawn to relatable and timely content.

Creating behind-the-scenes videos or showing the human side of your brand can also foster a connection with younger audiences. Humor and authenticity are key; users gravitate towards content that feels real rather than scripted.

Partnering with TikTok creators can amplify your message. These influencers have built-in audiences who trust their recommendations, making them ideal for authentic product placements. Additionally, consider using TikTok’s advertising options, such as In-Feed Ads or Branded Hashtag Challenges, to further increase reach. By understanding TikTok’s unique ecosystem, you can effectively promote your business and engage with a vibrant community.

Promote Business on Facebook

Promoting your business on Facebook involves leveraging its expansive tools and vast user base. Start by creating a business page that clearly represents your brand, complete with engaging visuals and informative content. Regularly update your page with posts that mix informative articles, promotional offers, and community-oriented content to keep your audience engaged.

Facebook Groups offer a unique way to build a community around shared interests. By participating in relevant groups or creating your own, you can foster discussions and showcase your expertise, subtly promoting your business without directly promoting it.

Utilize Facebook’s robust advertising platform to reach specific demographics. Customizable ad formats, such as Carousel Ads and Video Ads, allow you to tell your brand story creatively. To maximize engagement, consider hosting live events and webinars. These interactions provide real-time engagement opportunities, making your brand more relatable and approachable. By strategically using Facebook’s features, you can effectively promote your business and build lasting relationships with your audience.

Leverage User-Generated Content

Don’t want to create your own content? No problem. That’s where UGC comes in. Leveraging user-generated content (UGC) is an effective way to enhance engagement and authenticity on social media. Why is UGC so powerful? It’s because people trust content created by their peers more than traditional advertising. By showcasing real users interacting with your products or services, you build credibility and foster a sense of community.

To encourage UGC, initiate campaigns that invite followers to share their experiences. This could be through a branded hashtag challenge or a photo competition where users submit content for a chance to be featured. Highlighting this content on your platforms not only acknowledges your audience but also provides fresh, diverse perspectives that resonate with potential customers.

UGC also allows you to tap into the creativity of your users, presenting your brand in ways you might not have considered. By actively engaging with and promoting user-generated content, you can create a vibrant and inclusive brand narrative that encourages continued participation.

Summing It All Up

It’s time we reconsider how we’re marketing on social media. We often rush into selling because it feels like the instinctive approach for any business owner. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are dynamic stages where stories unfold and communities gather. So don’t treat them like old-school billboards.

By crafting engaging, authentic narratives, we can transform social media into a journey that invites users along for the ride. Whether it’s jumping into TikTok trends or building communities through Facebook groups, the goal is to integrate our brands seamlessly into users’ everyday digital experiences, rather than presenting flashy distractions.

And let’s not forget user-generated content. Why not harness the creativity of those already invested in your brand? It’s a win-win when followers become advocates, sharing their genuine experiences with your products. After all, peer validation is more powerful than any slick ad campaign.

The landscape is ripe for a shift—let’s lead it. Challenge traditional tactics, engage deeply, and foster genuine connections. Because when we do, we don’t just sell—we connect, inspire, and ultimately, thrive.