Statistics released by Social Media Examiner show social media results maximize after marketers have 5+ years of experience. Yes, you heard that right: 5+ years! That’s an awfully long time. Can you remember what you were doing with your online marketing 5 years ago? It probably looked nothing at all like what you do today.

With social media, it’s obvious that you should aim to build an engaged community. In the short-term, each of your posts contributes a very slight bit to each sale you convert. Over the long-term, however, the goal is to build brand advocates who will happily share your posts and bring plenty more sales your way.

So, how can you build a more engaged community and shave time off those 5-year expectations? Read these tips to find out…

1. Publish Content That Gives Your Customers a Compelling Reason to Change

As anyone knows, content is available in spades these days. Any company can find gobs of it to publish at any given time, and you won’t do your audience any favors by promoting the same thing everyone else does.

Instead, find content that challenges what your customers do and gives them a good reason to choose you over others. If you’re a local HVAC company, for example, show them precisely how to solve a low refrigerant problem rather than doling out tired AC maintenance tips. Take a video (even a simple one on your smartphone), showing customers what to look for and how to do it.

Do the same thing for various AC models your customers are likely to have. Some will do it themselves, while others will put their trust in you and give you a ring when they have a problem. The net effect? Additional sales for you!

2. Find New and Different Content to Produce and Promote

This one’s simple. Just find other HVAC companies in your area, visit their websites/social media profiles, and watch what they publish/promote. Then, find new and different content most companies don’t touch.

Perhaps this means going to websites like ThisOldHouse.com and finding HVAC-related content that is super detailed. Whichever method you choose, make it a priority to offer something unique.

Few Companies Use These Tactics to Build Engaged Communities!

These two tactics attract attention like crazy because most companies—whether a local HVAC contractor, high-powered law firm, or super-high-tech software company—focus on one thing: VOLUME. Yes, they want to cram their social profiles with as much content as possible (resulting in ordinary or dismal results).

When you focus on challenging what customers think and teach them new and different things, you stand out: which is precisely how you engage now and in the future. Plus, these marketing tactics are time-tested by the smartest marketers, so you know they’ll work.