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As of 2022, 4.48 billion people are using social media. There are only 7.9 billion people in the world, so if you’re not utilizing social media to build relationships, now is the time to start.

Brands often make the mistake of seeing social media as a mere sales tool. But many have forgotten how to take that tool and build genuine relationships from it.

As a digital manager, you know how important social media is for building relationships with your customers. But what are the rules that you should follow to make sure you're doing it right?.

So, to understand the techniques of building a strong rapport between business and consumer, here’s our guide to using social media to build relationships.

1) Be authentic and genuine

One of the most important rules of using social media to build relationships is to be authentic and genuine. Your audience can spot a fake or insincere persona a mile away, so it's essential to be yourself and let your personality shine through. Share your experiences, opinions, and values with your followers, and they will appreciate the honesty and transparency..

Authenticity also means being responsive to your audience. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and feedback, whether it's positive or negative. Show your followers that you value their input and take their opinions seriously.

2) Provide value

To build relationships on social media, you need to provide value to your audience. That means sharing useful and relevant content that they will find interesting, informative, or entertaining. You can do this by sharing tips, advice, industry news, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business.

Also, listen to your audience and respond to their needs. If they have questions or problems, provide them with helpful solutions. If they have suggestions or feedback, take them into consideration and make improvements accordingly.

3) Engage with your audience

Social media is a two-way conversation, so it's crucial to engage with your audience actively. That means initiating conversations, asking questions, and encouraging your followers to share their thoughts and opinions. You can do this by creating polls, surveys, or contests that encourage participation and engagement.

Engaging with your audience also means being present and active on social media. Don't just post content and disappear. Respond to comments, share posts from your followers, and participate in relevant conversations and hashtags.

4) Build a community

Finally, the most important rule of using social media to build relationships is to build a community. Your social media followers are not just random individuals but a group of like-minded people who share similar interests, values, or experiences. Create a sense of belonging by fostering a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels welcome and appreciated.

You can do this by recognizing and acknowledging your followers' contributions, hosting events or meetups, or featuring user-generated content on your social media channels. Building a community takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the long run as it will create a loyal and engaged following.

Final Say

Building relationships with your audience is key to brand success and having substantial ROI. Social media may give you easy access to audiences, but building relationships with your consumers comes from establishing trust, loyalty, reliability, and safety.

Remember to showcase these values and demonstrate to your audience exactly why your business is worth investing in.