3 Tips to Get The Most Out of Your Social Media in The Trades

If you spend time on social media, you've likely discovered a store or service provider based on their social media account. Companies of all kinds are hopping on social media to promote their products and services. If they can do it, why can't you? The trades have tremendous visual marketing potential. There's no reason to hesitate. Here are three tips to get the most out of your social media for your business. 

#1 Stick to reels 

Short form content is in! People love to learn through quick and entertaining videos. In the trades, your best bet is to stick to quick tutorials, before and after content, and product reviews. Create videos of what you already do during your job every day. For Instagram, Ticktock, and Facebook, reels are your best friend. These quick 60-second videos include a variety of editing tools. So have fun and use your creativity. If you've never made a reel, here are four features to include for the most effective results. 

Music 

Social media algorithms prioritize content with music and audio. People are also more likely to stop to view your reel if it includes a song they like. So, incorporate hit songs in the background during the editing process. For tutorial videos where you will be talking, make sure the music is at a very low volume to not distract from your message. 

Subtitles and closed captions 

Maintaining the attention of your audience is your main priority. A simple way to do this is through subtitles and closed captions for the viewers to read along as you talk. Incorporating text that is clear, bold, central, and easy to read will also allow people to understand your reels without having to turn the volume up. 

Smooth transitions 

Editing a reel to include only the essential footage needed to convey your message to the viewer is necessary to keep things short and sweet. Yet having messy transitions can make your reel look unprofessional or even deceptive. Keep your transitions as smooth as possible by maintaining consistent lighting, a steady camera, and a clear view of your actions. 

Hashtags 

Hashtags are a very effective way to boost your content. By grouping posts by theme, social media algorithms can bring people interested in the same topic to your page. Keep your hashtags short and specific, #plumbing or #DIY, for example. More is not necessarily better, so limit yourself to 4-6 hashtags per post for the best results.

#2 Engage with your audience 

Your audience is your client base. The content you create is for them. Listen to what they have to say. Engaging with your viewers will allow you to build trust with them. They will be much more likely to return to your page to learn more about your trade. Even better, people are more prone to share content with their friends if they feel it comes from a credible source. Building a relationship and creating a line of communication with your audience will help you establish this credibility. 

#3 Be consistent 

Patience is key. Your social media won't reach millions after your first post. Build your audience through consistency. Planning posts out on a schedule can be a helpful tool. Set aside a day in your week to film multiple videos to share throughout the week. The frequency in which you post will vary depending on the platform. For Instagram and Facebook, one feed post per day and 1-3 stories is the standard for business accounts. Tick-tock accounts benefit from posting 1-4 times a day. Youtube videos are the longest to film and edit, but thankfully they are also the least frequent and should only have one post per week. 

Social media can be a fantastic marketing tool when used strategically. As a tradesperson, there are endless possibilities for content to market your business. Don't put it off any longer, get started today! For more information on trade careers, exam prep resources, trade business tips, and much more, visit Upstryve.com!