Entrepreneurial Success Online: Best Practices For Engaging With Prospective Clients

As a small business owner or entrepreneur, it always comes down to you to build the business practices you need to succeed. Entrepreneurship in 2020 has risen by leaps and bounds due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic. With that being said, self-employed entrepreneurs were already on the rise thanks to the convenience and interconnectivity that the internet provides.

Armed with nothing more than an idea, it is now possible for an entrepreneur to build their brand and engage with audiences around the world. Having understood that, there are still certain tips, techniques, and routines that entrepreneurs should engage in to remain open and clear in their communication.

Today, we want to introduce all self-starters and entrepreneurs to the best practices for engaging with potential clients through platforms like YouTube and Facebook.

1) Build Your Professional Profile – First and foremost, you should begin your ascent to entrepreneurship status by registering your brand or business with every major social media platform. From Twitter and YouTube to Facebook and Instagram, all of these outlets will be part of your entrepreneurial toolbox. To maximize your professional profiles, make sure that there is consistency from one page to the next. This can be accomplished by keeping naming conventions similar, utilizing the same professional images, and catering your text to the specific audience that each social media platform will introduce.

For a platform where video is the driving factor, look at this YouTube page for an example of what we are talking about. All the published videos are relevant to the topic of the channel and they are grouped in an easy to access place. Building your professional profile should require a focus on mainstreaming your content. Make it easy for your clients to come to you!

Key Takeaway: Create a consistent series of social media platforms to make life easy for potential clients.

2) Upload Fact-driven Video Content – There has never been a better time to work in the world of marketing. With so many incredible outlets to interact on, brands and entrepreneurs should have no problem connecting to their audience. Unfortunately, the pure volume of entrepreneurs means that you need to set yourself up for success by uploading the right kind of content.

Never has video been more important to telling a story or selling an idea. If you are a new entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, you will want to create fact-driven, information-fueled video content for your potential clients to engage with. These videos should showcase your brand, what you have to offer, and a slice of your personality along the way. In doing so, you create an identity that clients can associate with your name.

Key Takeaway: Over half of the marketing professionals in the industry have named video as their leading marketing strategy when it comes to return on investment. Fact-driven content cultivates a community of trust where your word can be valued alongside the product that you are selling.

3) Don’t Be Afraid to Engage – As we are living in an increasingly social media-driven world, there is an air of expectation surrounding every interaction between a business owner and a potential client. That expectation revolves around the business owner becoming a personal part of the experience. Whether it be through social media or news updates on your professional portfolios, don’t be afraid to engage directly with your audience.

If you have an audience for your product, giving them your time will further boost the profile of your business. If you don’t feel comfortable in a client-facing role, you might want to hire a social media advisor to tackle this aspect of the job. There is a reason that companies like Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Apple all have large social media profiles where they react, respond, and engage with their customers.

Key Takeaway: You can’t be a faceless business in 2020. Integrating engagement with your audience is key to the long-term success of your business. Whether you are communicating through social media or professional business channels, always be prepared to engage with prospective clients.

4) Cultivate a Brand Voice – Your brand needs to speak in a voice that is immediately recognizable to potential customers. If you see a pair of Golden Arches hoisted over a red roof, you know that McDonald’s is just around the corner. In that same vein, you should find a way to create a personal, unique, and clear voice for your brand.

Key Takeaway: Make yourself different and communicating with your audience will be easier than ever. Look at high-profile brands that are relevant to your industry to get an idea as to what this might look like in a practical application.