HOW TO GROW YOUR COMMUNITY: tips for budding social media influencers

I've been around for 11 years as a social media influencer and while I did not become grossly famous, I am still enjoying a fair level of presence and opportunities that big content creators get, thanks to the community that I was able to build (love you TBJ Beshies!).

If there's one best advice that I will give to budding social media influencers out there, it's BULD AND GROW YOUR COMMUNITY.

Building a solid base of followers and members will help solidify your brand and your base online; brands are no longer stuck in the days of prioritizing big follower numbers; nowadays, they focus on engagement, affinity, and authority of an influencer, regardless of their social media following. I'm not saying though that big numbers are not important-it's that brands give equal importance to following and engagement.

So how do you grow your community? Here are 5 key steps to get you started.

1. Maintain your social media assets by posting content DAILY

- this is a no- brainer: it is imperative that you have and MAINTAIN your social media assets by posting content on a DAILY basis. Build accounts on at least three popular social media platforms that complement your strength as a content creator. For example, if you're a writer, then maintain accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube/Tiktok. Video content creator? Maintain accounts on Facebook, Youtube, and Tiktok; and don't forget to maintain them by posting daily or on schedule to reach as many people as possible.

Bottomline, you should diversify your social media assets and be present in a good amount of famous social media platforms to connect with more people and creators, which will help you grow your community. Maintaining multiple accounts across social media platforms allows you to harness the audience of each platform that you can engage and add to your community. 

2. Create share- worthy content

- I wanted to say viral content, but I don't want you to be stuck on that concept since viral content is highly unpredictable. In the words of Michelle Phan: "Viral chooses you."

But you know what? I've had my fair share of viral posts and all I can say is the formula here is to continue posting share- worthy content until you get really good at creating content and eventually get it right.

So instead of dreaming to become a viral star right away (which oftentimes pushes a lot of creators into desperation, thus creating desperate content), I want you to focus on share- worthy content; create and upload infographics, videos, articles, and other forms of content based on relevant topics and topics that you are passionate about.

3. Hold giveaways and promos

- Filipinos LOVE giveaways and no better way to keep them in your community by holding giveaways, promos, and creating other rewarding programs for them. Incentivize your community by rewarding by their participation and activity through Fan of the Month posts, for example.

It is also important to send out your prizes in a timely, orderly manner because some participants can be a bit impatient (and that's based on experience!). It's important to send their goodies right away so they're more encouraged to participate in your community. When you try to send their goodies as early as you can, they feel that they're a treasured part of the community.

One of my go- to couriers is Gogo Xpress. I've been using them for more than a year now and I love their competitive rates, generally timely pick up of packages, and reliable digital structure.

Also, Gogo Xpress has exciting news for everyone so check it out:

GoGo Xpress is your Go-To Hassle-Free Social Selling Partner in the Philippines that is specifically designed and built for social and casual sellers.  It provides affordable on-time nationwide delivery service including Free Pouches & Boxes, Free Cash on Delivery service, Free pick-up, Free Item Protection (for items worth P500 & below), and user-friendly dashboards to directly monitor orders, sales and earnings. 

For 2022, GoGo Xpress is leveling up with more Seller Tool features that would further help grow online businesses.

One of these tools is GoBenta, an enhancement to GoGo Xpress’s Sell-A-Product feature, which allows Sellers to create up to 100 product links that would include descriptions, stock availability, and price within the GoBenta storefront. Aside from this, sellers can link their GoBenta store to their Facebook Page's chat with Messenger Shop or just share the link on their social media, so Online Buyers can easily visit, and check out items they wish to purchase.  Meanwhile, buyers can input their delivery details aside from choosing COD as a mode of payment. That makes it more efficient on the Seller’s side as they don't need to fill in the delivery details for their buyers. This means more efficiency and accuracy and fewer mistakes in delivery. Thanks to this feature, Buyers can know immediately how much the shipping fee is and have the option to choose COD without having to pay a COD service fee. Sellers using GoGo Xpress can also create their own special discounts for the items they are promoting with the Promo Code Generator, this way they get to create their own exclusive offers for their customers during their Sale period. 

“As of today, we have successfully connected almost 1.5 million casual social sellers to over 20 million buyers. As an e-commerce tech and logistics company, we offer seller tools that provide a hassle-free way of doing business. Right now, we are leveling up with more features and seller tools that would benefit our merchants and their customers,” said Mia Bulatao, President and Chief Operating Officer of GoGo Xpress. 

For 2022, Bulatao said GoGo Xpress projects to grow its customer base and make the online buying and selling experience enjoyable to over 3M sellers and 40M buyers.

"With a GoBenta storefront, sellers can customize their store names and upload their own brand logos. They can also use the product links to promote their store and products on their social media platforms, including Facebook, FB Messenger Shop, FB Marketplace, KUMU, Carousell, Viber, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Email and SMS,” said Bulatao.

You also can make your own customized logos using the logo maker.

McCoy Jacinto, GoGo Xpress Managing Director, said 2,500 shops have so far been created on GoBenta and the number is growing by 15% week-on-week.

“It’s easy to navigate and it’s very user-friendly,” said Drew of Furry Good Pet Supplies.

"Making product links is so easy compared with having to think of graphic designs for my online shop. I just need a picture, a short description and I'm done," said Iris of The Square Peg Shop.

"Our objective is to provide Merchants with Selling Tools that would make online selling and shopping more fun, more affordable and more efficient without being intimidating," said Bulatao.

For more information, just visit GOGO XPRESS on Facebook.