As any type of influencer, your goal is most likely to have a positive impact and provide educational content to your followers. In order to do so, you need to establish a following and a strategy to keep that growing. From the fitness perspective, it can be quite intimidating to take this challenge on because there are so many fitness influencers out there already. Don't be discouraged though, because you have the tools to grow your social media following without breaking the bank. If you're just starting out or trying to branch out further, let's dive into how you can grow your social media following on a budget.
1. Define your audience.
The first step in growing your social media audience is to target who they are. You need to figure out the age group, the social habits, the location and so much more about your target audience. You can target by occupation or hobbies. There really is no limit as to how niche you can get. Once you figure out who your ideal customer is, you can create content that is appealing to them. This will get them talking and sharing your content to expose you to more people. This is called organic growth and you will be able to see your following continue to grow.
2. Be consistent when you post.
In order to keep your audience engaged, you need to show them that you are just as invested in them as you want them to be in you. To do this you have to post regular content that is creative and engaging. Figure out what you want to see in your Instagram or Facebook feed and then create content like that. Target your audience based on your personal experiences. The reason your followers are following you is because they want to hear from you about your life. It is so important to show your followers that you are a real person with real experiences – and someone who has a lot to offer!
An easy way to stay consistent with your audience is to come up with regular post ideas. For instance, you post your weekly blog post on the same day every week. Your followers will catch onto the pattern and they’ll start to expect and look forward to your blog posts. This is just an example, but it’s a great way to keep your followers engaged and showcase what you have to offer to new followers.
The same goes for daily posting in your stories – it keeps you top of mind with your audience!
3. Use Social Media Follow Buttons Everywhere!
Whether you have a website, blog, or newsletter, be sure you’re including social media follow buttons and links wherever possible. Directing the people that are interested in your programs to your social media channels will benefit you in so many ways. One of the easiest ways to stay in touch with potential clients or customers is through social media. Once they follow you, they will see your content as they scroll through on their pages. If they don't interact with you right away, they will soon! Your content will subconsciously creep into their minds as they view it more and more, making your business more relevant to them.
Growing your social media following doesn’t have to revolve around paid ads and other applications for engagement (while those are great tools, they still need a solid basis on which to bring results down the line, IF you decide to go that route).
You can tackle your social media goals and grow your following on a budget by ensuring that your audience is being fed the right information and knowledge – curated and presented by you. They’re looking for help from you, so make sure you’re there to engage. Pull more followers onto your social media accounts by influencing your subscribers and clients to follow and share your social media pages. Sometimes, it is all about word-of-mouth, and social media makes that so easy now!
If you want to see how I can help you reach your fitness goals, contact me!