Is your business on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites? If so, then you probably already know how useful these tools can be for helping you reach out to customers. Social media also provides a platform where businesses can connect with other businesses—both ones that are local and ones that are far away. Make sure you’re following proper etiquette when you interact with other companies on social media with these tips:
Liking or Following Back
If you want to interact with other businesses on social media, then it’s a good idea to “like” or “follow” them on your business account. When other businesses like your Facebook page or follow your Twitter profile, you can practice proper etiquette by liking or following them back. You certainly don’t have to like or follow every single account that likes or follows yours—in fact, “courtesy” follows can often seem spammy or insincere—but it’s a good idea to return the favor when businesses reach out by taking one of these actions. Be sure to inspect the business’ social media pages and website first to ensure that liking or following them won’t be inappropriate to your business in any way. Other businesses will be sure to appreciate a follow back, and this will make it much easier for your companies to interact on social media.
Responding to Comments
Businesses should always respond to social media comments, including those from other businesses. Depending on your Facebook settings, individuals and businesses that like your page might be able to comment on your posts and leave visitor comments on a specific part of your profile. Your Twitter followers can also respond to your Tweets, which is why it’s important to check your social media profiles regularly for new notifications. When a business comments on your Facebook or Twitter post, they’re likely doing so to make a connection from which you both can benefit. You can acknowledge their action and take the next step by responding to their comment. You should post a written response when applicable, but you can also acknowledge the comment by liking it, favoriting it, or leaving an emoji response.
Mentioning Account Names
Social media provides an excellent platform to share blogs and other content from your company’s website, but it is also a great place to share content from other sources. When you post links to articles, infographics, and videos that relate to your products or services, your fans and followers are likely to find them interesting and become more engaged with your social media profiles. If you’re posting content from other businesses, you should always mention their social media account names when possible. This will allow you to properly label your posts while also sending a notification to the business that you’re mentioning. When other businesses see that you mention them and post their content, they’ll be more likely to like or follow you back and interact with you on social media.
Reacting to Mentions
Any time a person or business mentions your account name on Facebook or Twitter, you’ll receive a notification. When people click on your account name in these posts, they’ll be taken to your profile—even if they don’t like or follow you. Because mentions from other businesses can bring more potential customers to your social media pages and website, it’s a good idea to show gratitude when this happens. If your company is mentioned by another company, you can like the post, which will send a notification to the original poster. You can also respond to say thank you and share any other messages you might have for anyone who clicks on the post. When you appreciate mentions from other businesses, they’ll be more likely to mention you again in the future.
While much of your time on social media will focus on your own profiles, fans, and followers, it’s a good idea to set aside time to look at posts from the people and businesses that you like and follow. When you come across a post that you enjoy, you can like it and leave a comment to share your thoughts. If you think your own fans or followers would be interested in a post you come across, then you can share it on Facebook or retweet it on Twitter. The business that originally published the post will be notified when you share or retweet it, and they’ll be sure to appreciate having their content shared with an even larger audience.
Interacting with other businesses on social media can provide many benefits to your business. Whether you’re just getting started on sites like Facebook and Twitter or you’ve been using them for a while, Pennington Creative can help your business boost its social media marketing efforts. Check out our website to learn more about our Tucson digital marketing services and find out how to get started!
