Social media gives small businesses an interactive way to connect with prospects and customers, yet many businesses still struggle with building relationships via the platforms they’re using. They fail to make their brands “human” on social media.

According to nationally known social media professional, Rachel Strella of Strella Social Media, “People relate more to other people than to a logo or brand image. This can give small businesses and solopreneurs an advantage over bigger businesses.”

Taking the human approach is successful for the simple reason that relationships are built on trust.

“For a small business, customer loyalty is often tied to the people who work in the business—the people who give that business’s products and services their staying power,” explains Strella.

As a small business owner, you (and your employees) are your business.

Here’s how your small business can leverage that advantage to facilitate relationships via your social media efforts:

Personally ask friends, family, industry connections to follow you on your business’s social media channels. They know you, so they’ll probably be happy to do that for you.

Post bios of your team members. People love to learn more about the people working in a business. Make the bios fun, not just a reiteration of their job description.

Share your backstory to create an emotional connection. Has a personal experience or cause prompted you to start your business? Even if you’ve shared it on your “About” page of your website, not everyone might be aware of it.

Show some personality. Write your posts so they sound conversational rather than stilted and stiff.

Add some humor—but be careful! What’s funny to one follower might be offensive to another.

Post images and videos, not just text-only posts. Photos of your team collaborating or doing a good deed will allow people to see what’s going on behind the scenes. And posts with images tend to gain more attention than those without; according to the Business 2 Community blog, 87 percent of a Facebook page’s engagement happens on photo posts.

Celebrate customers’ successes. With permission, of course, craft posts that share how your products or services have helped a customer solve a problem or achieve a goal.

When responding to followers’ comments on your business social media channels, sign them with your first name. It adds a personal touch, and reminds followers that there are real people interacting with them from behind your logo.

For more insight about social media and connecting with customers, reach out to your local SCORE chapter. SCORE mentors have a broad range of expertise and experience and they’re there to guide you in all aspects of starting and growing your business.

If you would like help with this process, or other aspects of your established or start-up business, the volunteers at SCORE are available to help.  SCORE is a nationwide network of over 13,000 experienced volunteer executives offering free assistance to small businesses looking for mentoring, counseling, tools and workshops. You can read about SCORE at www.score.org. The Polk County Chapter of SCORE can be reached at 828-859-5456 or via email at scorepolkcounty@gmail.com. Article submitted by Vince Verrecchio, WNC SCORE, Polk County Branch.