Commercial cleaners, like all businesses, need a strategy to spread the word to attract new clientele. Marketing is a crucial step in expanding your business, and social media offers you a way to reach a new audience. In fact, studies show that 95 per cent of businesses use social media and 75 per cent see an increase in traffic because of their online efforts.

Not a social media guru? Not to worry, there are a few simple steps you can take to build your online brand.

Inform

One of the ways you can grow an audience is by establishing your company and your team as industry experts. This means posting informative, educational, and interesting content that will help show off your skills and knowledge. This could be anything from a list of top trends to a day-in-the-life to helpful tips for cleaning and disinfecting. Take the knowledge you have and develop a following with a community that wants to learn from your experience.

Entertain

Much of the social media content out there is entertaining and you want your audience to stay interested in your content. Your customers want to see you in an authentic way, so entertain them while they get to know you. Think about profiling employees, celebrating milestones, hosting contests to get attention. You might not think this type of content is entertaining, but it helps people get to know you, your company, and your values – and when people like your content, they want to support your business.

Engage

Communication is a big part of social media, so conversation is key. Look at your content to see where people are commenting, asking questions, or leaving feedback, and participate in that conversation. Share content and encourage others to share your posts. Use relevant hashtags on Instagram and post to Facebook groups to attract the interest of your target audience. Ask questions and engage in relevant accounts so people can see that you are active on your platforms and check out your content.

Growing your social media audience doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing ads and working with influencers. Not only can social media help you attract new customers, but it can also help draw the attention of potential candidates, simplifying your hiring process.

RELATED: A recruitment strategy for commercial cleaners

Create a strategy to mix up your content, inform your audience, and build those relationships across your social media platforms.