Building a successful brand be a priority, but building a brand doesn’t happen over night. Social media can be a great tool to market your brand, reach your target audience, and boost brand awareness. Embrace it.

Here are a few tips for getting started.

1. Research social media platforms.

Social media platforms are not created equal. Each has its own medium and message that are most successful. The key is to pick a platform that is your target audience.

2. Be consistent across your social media platforms

The first step is to have is to have a consistent logo, color palette, bio, etc. across all your platforms. This could include coming up a with style guide or templates for creating consistent, on-brand content on your feed. If your social media feeds and profiles are consistent, then your visitors will form brand awareness.

3. Post relevant content.

Don’t post for the sake of posting. Keep social media posts relevant, and provide useful information that users will be engaged in and hopefully share with others. Your content shapes your brand.

4. Use social campaigns to reach your audience.

Getting engagement on social media is becoming harder and harder, and paid campaigns can be the way to go to reach your audience. Implementing a strategy that includes contests and other campaigns improves your brands visibility. Provide your audience with an incentive that provides value and encourages participation.

5. Explore influencers in your area.

Collaborating with influencers is a great way to create brand awareness. Do some research and find influencers in your industry, and look at their networks and type of content they post to see if they would be a good fit with your brand. Work to build a good relationship – that all starts with meaningful conversation.

6. Analyze your success.

A great way to track your brand awareness is through engagement on social media. Likes, comments, and shares are a measure of the success of your social media strategies.