Aquaculture businesses should integrate social media into their marketing strategy which will help reach more customers, promote the business, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals who will support your products.
The term ‘social media’ refers to sharing content in many forms, including:
- Videos
- Photos
- Written Content
- Reviews
Social Media Purposes
Besides connecting with your customer base, social media can be utilized in many ways. Below are just a few examples:
- Creating a distribution strategy
- Developing your business
- Sharing your business culture and showing authenticity
- Showcasing your expertise
- Enhancing connections
Consumers want to connect with businesses on a deeper level than in the past. Social media is an effective way to meet these higher expectations and make and maintain meaningful connections with your customers.
Where To House The Content
Because the goal of any marketing effort is to bring greater awareness, visibility, and measurable results to your business, it’s recommended that your website house meaningful content that you’ll share whenever possible. It is also recommended that content be native—or loaded directly into—various social media accounts for authenticity and audience respect. But any content that is pertinent to your greater customer base should find a home somewhere in your website, especially if it answers questions or provides information that will be consistently valuable over time.
Photos, graphics, and written pieces of content from your website can be shared directly on your social media accounts. Use these posts to showcase your authenticity. Pen and share an article that demonstrates your expertise in the industry. This will help set you apart from the competition and distinguish you as a leader in the aquaculture industry.
Balance Social Media Content
If you have a good mix between educational, informative content and more personal, anecdotal photos, videos, and posts, you’ll be able to strike an ideal balance between ‘thought leader’ and ‘friend’. Not only will your customers see you as a source of relevant, industry-specific information, but they will also see you in a warmer, more personal light.
How You Can Use Social Media In Aquaculture
Social media gives users numerous ways to promote their businesses and build an audience. Consider the following ways you can use it for your aquaculture business:
Show Processes
Do you have a unique way of doing things, and would it set you apart from your competitors? Feel free to show it on social media and use it to differentiate yourself.
Answer Specific Questions
Encourage customers to weigh in with their specific concerns and questions. Or, go ahead and answer the ones most common to the industry that you are familiar with. By doing this, you’ll alleviate customer anxiety and shorten the buying cycle.
Highlight Customers
People love to be noticed, including your customers. Encourage your customers to share their testimonials and highlight them specifically on your account. You can even host contests and announce the winners.
With a contest, you can give entrants extra points for liking and sharing your page—another way to get in front of more people without your having to expend any extra effort.
Promote Activities
Social media is an excellent way to spread the word about any upcoming sales, promotions, or activities you have planned for your business. Your followers and fans will promote them for you with shares, and your reach can grow exponentially with the viral nature of social media.
Take Orders Or Sell Products
There are ways to direct sell and take orders on social media. Messenger bots and third-party applications are available for any industry and business interested in utilizing this unique and progressive way of meeting customer demand. This is another great opportunity to set yourself apart from your competitors. Since this technology is so new, not many businesses are doing this . . . yet. Don’t let the opportunity to set your business apart with direct social media selling pass you by.
Share Stories, Updates, And News
People will follow you on social media because they want to hear from you. Share stories, updates, and news with them. If you’re expanding into a new product line, make sure to share it on your accounts. Customers want to keep up with the latest you have to offer, and don’t forget, with social media you have the added benefit of encouraging them to share your news, too.
Build Your Audience
The true purpose of social media is to build your audience. Always ask yourself if your content will do this before posting. The rule is to give first before being asked.
Human beings act in a reciprocal nature. If you give first, your customers are more likely to reciprocate without hesitation and without needing any prompting from you.
Give your audience value in the form of expertise, interesting stories, and relevant news and updates. If you can do this consistently, your audience will start to grow exponentially with the viral power of social media.