Digital Goals for Small Business Owners in 2021
by Monica Bishop Gallaher
January 28, 2021
Are you a small business owner? If so, chances are good you’re doing everything in your power to keep yourself afloat within the beautiful chaos of life: running a business, family, friends, employees, personal health, not to mention a global health crisis.
With the start of a new year comes the added excitement and pressure of developing fresh goals and resolutions. We often think about personal goals, even business goals, but have you ever considered your digital goals? I’m talking about your company’s social media channels, website, and Page 1 of Google. I’m a strong believer in “If I write it down, I’ll make it happen!” In fact, you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams simply by writing them down, according to HuffPost.
As a media strategist who works to advance the digital tattoos of brands, organizations, and businesses, check out my four resolutions to create a stronger digital presence in 2021:
1. Reach for the Stars (and Your Followers): Set a goal to grow your social media channels by a specific percentage month-over-month. “On average, brand follower growth on Instagram increases by 6 percent to 8 percent month-over-month. That’s twice the monthly follower growth rate on LinkedIn and more than three times the monthly follower growth rate on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest,” says Kara Burney, Director of Content at TrackMaven, on Business 2 Community. Each platform can have a different goal.
2. Say Yes: Remember the film with actor Jim Carey where he’s forced to say “YES!” to everything? You don’t have to be that committed to the cause, but 2021 should be your year of Yes. Agree to be a guest on a podcast—heck, go ahead and start your own podcast! Dive into the video world, and showcase your business or product from a strong visual angle. TikTok is a marketing superpower and nearly 1 billion users strong! Create your business profile on the platform and start experimenting to find your niche. Want to be inspired? A great book to get you started is Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes.
3. Better Together: If the pandemic taught us anything, it was that better together is more than a catchy phrase. When restaurants shut down, boutique retailers closed, and coffeeshops pivoted to entirely to-go menus, communities looked for ways to help each other out. Add community news to your business content. Amplify the great things your local shops are doing to thrive in 2021. Support your local business neighbors and snag a snapshot of your visit to post on social media. #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors
4. Everyone’s an Expert: Join Facebook Groups or start one where you share your expertise to a specific target audience. According to Hootsuite, 8 billion people use Facebook Groups. This platform is great for connecting with potential new customers or clients. “Connect Nashville Business Network” is a great example. Groups let you monitor the stream of chatter, and when someone asks for a recommendation, you’re ready to call out yourself or a fellow small business you favor! It creates a platform for your name to be involved in conversation, and your brand to be seen. Win-win for everyone.
When considering your 2021 digital goals, pay close attention to what resonates with your followers. Your first goal is to create content that interests them—information, news, entertainment, or humor. Take advantage of insights and analytics. There is an endless amount of data available to your small business, and now is the time to learn how to leverage it. Have questions or additional digital resolutions? I’d love to chat! Contact me at mbishop@deetergallahergroup.com.
Media Brand Strategy/Awareness Social Media Strategy Digital Strategy