Small Biz Leader · July 5, 2024
Small Biz Leader · July 5, 2024
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, social media has become a pivotal tool for amplifying business growth and visibility. We reached out to CEOs and Founders to share instances where these platforms were instrumental in their success. From leveraging user-generated content to demonstrating expertise with YouTube tutorials, discover the diverse strategies in these ten firsthand accounts.
Phil Laboon · Swena Kalra · Matt Zothner · Ross Jenkins · Melissa Pennington · Mike Ortiz · Luke Beerman · Hamsa Suresh · AL Tran · Vanessa AnelloPhil LaboonCEO · Leadstacker
Social media has played a pivotal role in our business growth, especially through a targeted campaign focused on user-generated content. We encouraged customers to share photos using our product with a specific hashtag, promising to feature the best entries. The response was phenomenal—not only did it significantly boost our visibility among their networks, but it also provided authentic testimonials and created a sense of community around our brand. This experience taught us that social media isn't just about promotion; it's a powerful tool for building genuine connections and leveraging customer advocacy. This approach continues to shape how we engage with our audience and amplify our brand message organically.
Swena KalraChief Marketing Officer · Scott & Yanling Media Inc.
Social media played a huge role in growing my adventure travel company. One instance stands out: I posted a photo series of our Nepal trekking tours on Instagram. The pictures were stunning, showing off the beautiful landscapes and happy trekkers.
Within days, the posts went viral, and we saw a massive spike in followers and inquiries. People started sharing their excitement in the comments, and bookings increased by 30% in just a month.
This experience taught me the power of visual storytelling and engaging with potential customers online. It’s a simple yet effective way to boost visibility and attract more clients.
Matt ZothnerFounder · Currents
Social media's role in helping businesses grow is constantly evolving. The era we're living in could be described as the 'Attention Economy' because of the way that algorithm-based platforms drive engagement and clicks to businesses. Now it's easier than ever to create content, but standing out has never been harder. TikTok and emerging platforms like YouTube Shorts help my business gain more visibility by pushing education-related content to my audience. Rather than just selling our product or service, we plan to build a brand that educates and empowers potential customers. It's a great way to grow on these massive platforms.
Ross JenkinsCEO · DigitalME
We have converted a lot of prospects to clients from Facebook groups and Twitter (now X) by showing tips and tricks on how to achieve certain things, i.e., when someone posts asking for help on ActiveCampaign with their errors and problems, giving them advice on how I'd approach the situation has scored us a good amount of clients.
Melissa PenningtonCEO & Founder · HR On Demand
Here are key methods we use:
HR On-Demand has used social media to engage customers, build loyalty, and expand their reach. Here's how we did it:
Customer Engagement: Using platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, HR On-Demand interacts directly with clients by responding to inquiries, sharing industry insights, and showcasing their services. This direct engagement fosters a loyal client base connected to the brand.
Promotional Campaigns: Social media has been key in launching and promoting their services, such as internal audits and employee engagement events. By creating shareable and engaging posts, HR On-Demand generates buzz and excitement, driving traffic to their website and increasing inquiries.
Thought Leadership: Collaborating with industry influencers and sharing thought-leadership content has expanded HR On-Demand’s reach. These influencers introduce the brand to new audiences with authentic endorsements that resonate with potential clients.
Customer Feedback and Market Insights: Social media provides a valuable channel for gathering client feedback and insights. HR On-Demand monitors conversations, tracks sentiment, and quickly addresses issues or preferences, allowing for agile adjustments to their services and marketing strategies.
Community Building: By fostering a sense of community around their brand, HR On-Demand has created strong client loyalty. Sharing client success stories, featuring user-generated content, and celebrating client milestones contribute to a vibrant and engaged online community.
Mike OrtizBusiness Owner · Canvas Monsters
Social media has been a game-changer for my business growth. Here's why:
I ditched the traditional one-way communication and went all in on building a real community. I'm super active on social media, engaging with comments and messages daily. It's a conversation, not a monologue!
But it doesn't stop there. I take things a step further by live-streaming on Twitch several times a week. This lets me connect with my audience in real-time. They can ask questions, see the personality behind the brand, and feel like they're part of something bigger.
The result? Not only has social media boosted my visibility, but it's also fostered a community of engaged supporters who are genuinely interested in what I'm doing. This two-way interaction has been crucial in propelling my business forward!
Luke BeermanOwner · Freedom Fence FL
Social media has been a powerhouse for our fence company's growth. When we completed a particularly intricate and beautiful custom-fence project, we showcased it on Instagram and Facebook. We shared high-quality photos and a time-lapse video of the installation process, along with a customer testimonial.
The post went viral locally, racking up likes, shares, and comments. It caught the attention of a local home-improvement magazine, leading to a feature article. This exposure significantly increased our inquiries and new client appointments. Social media not only boosted our visibility but also established us as a trusted, innovative player in the market. It's like turning a single project into a marketing engine!
Hamsa SureshEntrepreneur-In-Residence, Future of Work
Having a solid presence on social media has been a powerful tool for leveraging new trends and driving virality within my ventures. One of the key strategies I've employed is tapping into emerging platforms and trends early on. For instance, I experimented with platforms like Clubhouse and TikTok early on to host discussions and share bite-sized insights, respectively—as well as Web 3.0 social networks like Mastodon and Discord, which have helped amplify our message and reach new audiences.
Through my experimentations, I've found that the key to virality often lies in creating content that is not only informative but also relatable and shareable. This could be anything from behind-the-scenes looks at our startup's journey (through a Building-in-Public strategy) to showcasing use cases or even leveraging user-generated content. By tapping into these and focusing on creating content that resonates with our audience, we've been able to drive significant engagement and visibility for our ventures.
AL TranRealtor, Blogger, Author · DS Inspire
Pinterest is often seen as a web search engine, but it's also considered a social media platform because you can post videos, leave comments, follow others, like content, and even send messages. Creating pins regularly that are related to my site and niche has boosted traffic to my site. Everyone in my mastermind group agrees with this approach and is experiencing similar positive results.
Vanessa AnelloProfessional Development Consultant · Workforce Charm, LLC
By creating free, high-quality tutorials related to my Udemy course content and posting them on YouTube, I was able to demonstrate my expertise and provide value upfront. Each video included a call-to-action with a link to my Udemy course for those interested in a deeper dive. This strategy not only increased my course sales but also expanded my reach to an international audience, as Udemy's global platform brought in viewers from around the world.
