Globally, the estimated number of social media users is 5.07 billion (over 13.05 million in Kenya, which is about a quarter of the total population…..recall that we have over 22.7 million internet users in Kenya).
That explains why businesses of all sizes and shapes have invested in social media… and you ought to do as well…
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FACT: Your ability to reach as many people as possible will determine the success of your business and revenue online.
I HAVE GROWN MY BUSINESS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT IT TAKES EFFORT. MOST PEOPLE ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO USE IT TO GET “LIKES,” “SUBSCRIBERS,” AND “FOLLOWERS.”
Short Answer:
You have to intensify your efforts when it comes to social media, just like anything else.
Sorry but thereâs no shortcut…Getting attention for your product and service can only be achieved in this way.
Social media marketing in Kenya: How to do it right
This Is How:
Let’s first be clear about what social media is used for.
1. When applied regularly and consistently, it makes you the customer’s first choice.
2. It enables you to establish yourself in your industry as a “celebrity” or “expert.”
3. You have the power to manage your reputation and interact with potential clients on any question(s) about your products/services and provide information that can eventually give you a sale!
4. It can direct more visitors to your website (I hope youâve one) â just keep adding your website in your posts/videos…
The issues is, countless businesses and entrepreneurs I know become obsessed with the measurement and analysis of social media ROI(return on investment).
 How wrong!đ
The truth is that social media rarely serves as a direct sales channel…
Remember we do not come to social media to buy, we come there to socialize, look for gossip, news, spy on our friends, laugh….you know these donât you?
So forget about the ROI (return on investment) concept and focus solely on using social media to boost your businessâs recognition as a brand online.
In a nutshell, properly understanding social media, its users, and their usage patterns is crucial if youâre to succeed with social media as a marketing tool….and I already told you it can be an amazing marketing tool!
Just to give you a clearer idea:
The most recent data from analytics website Statistica shows that 62% of all people worldwide use social media (over a quarter of Kenyaâs 55 Million People).
- Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, have over 1 billion active users apiece worldwide, meaning there is a whopping 4 billion people in total on Meta’s social media platforms (In Kenya, Facebook has a higher than average usage with 16 457 600 users as of January 2024)… Furthermore, Facebook users in Kenya are predicted to grow to about 20 million users by 2027!
- There are 14 billion users on LinkedIn(30 millionâLinkedIn-nersâ in Kenya).
- There are 600 million users on X (previously Twitter)..(about 2 Million X users in Kenya).
- One billion users use TikTok (There are 60 million Kenyans on TikTok, as at early 2024).
Imagine this: a normal person uses social media for 2.5 hours on average every day!
Social media marketing in Kenya: How to do it right
Turning to YouTube..
Despite not being entirely classified as a social media network, YouTube receives 2.49 billion unique visitors each month, with users spending 28 hours and 5 minutes there each month.
You will agree with me that that is an incredible volume of eyes!.
Yes, YouTube has shown to be a really effective tool for my company.
All businesses ought to be uploading films of their goods and services and establishing themselves as authorities in the fields in which they work.
On a greater scale, it draws attention to you, your brand, and your services/products.
In fact, people from all around Kenya and even beyond its borders contact our offices with a multitude of requests.
And when we ask, “YouTube” is the most frequent response when people are asked how they found me.
To put it briefly, spending your time doing social networking is not a time waster.
Personally, this was my initial thinking, but I soon realized it has massive potential and power.
Quick Fact: YouTube has 183 million visits in Kenya last year, whereas X and Facebook (by Meta) had approximated 30 and 26 million hits, respectively!…..can you see why we are saying that youâre seriously youâre missing out if youâre not investing in social media?
I want to open your eyes…
These (the following) are the only ones experiencing issues or not making enough money from social media (see if youâre guilty!):
- Not utilizing it
- Not applying it appropriately
- Not putting it to adequate use…using it partially/occasionally
- Not utilizing every platform that your audience spends time in
Now, many people – and you might be in this group- are worried about what content is best to post.
And frequently, they become overwhelmed and take no action.
Alternatively, they quit before realizing what kinds of posts bring results.
Well, here is our formula for success:
Just use the “AGES” guideline when publishing on social media.
- Awareness (Produce it).
- Give (Only post worthwhile content.)
- Educate(Inspire)
- Shares (Publish something you believe others will find useful enough to share elsewhere.)
Success strategies for every social media platform and app
Facebook Page
- Make a “good” professional page on social media for your company/business.
- Include pictures and give your page a style and vibe.
- Clearly state the goal of the page and what the visitor might anticipate from it.
- Make a commitment to posting all day long.
X(TWITTER)
- Make your page/handle first.
- Include your email address or website in the description you write.
- Have a clear message and voice.
- Time interval. (After-hours)
- Send other people tweets. You gain more followers and spread knowledge by doing this.
YOUTUBE
- Launch a Channel
- Go ahead and publish first videos
- Avoid becoming indolent(lazy).
- Do not make the mistake of prioritizing quantity over quality.
- Make excellent thumbnails.
- Maintain the right tone-and pace- and be on the same page with your audience.
- Look for ways to stand out from the crowd; you must provide valuable info if you want people to subscribe.
- Improve with each and every video
- Launch a formal/business/professional page
- Conduct research and choose keywords with high and low traffic.
- Consistency: Publish there frequently.
- Engage: Follow and share other big, appropriate accounts.
- Make use of hashtags(#).
- Post high-quality content always: present it nicely.
- Make use of reels and stories.
- Influencers: Try to work together if you can.
- Analytics: Pay attention to them.
Social media marketing in Kenya: We are succeeding and you can succeed too!
By now, the majority of you are aware that we are actively using every social media network…you see us everywhere, donât you?
We are doing that deliberately…
In fact, we made a vow to double down on our creative and strategic use of social media so that Kenya Online College comes to mind when people think of digital marketing and online income generation.
Follow suit and see how your company expands.
Be awesome.
Nothing else is as profitable as social media marketing.
PS: If youâre not sure how to start, we can help you get everything right without necessarily hiring a social media marketing agency Kenya… just check out our best social media marketing course in Kenya
John Gitahi,
Savvy Digital Marketer, Â Founder & Digital Marketing Trainer, Kenya Online College
Whatsapp me: 0797 532 345
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CPA John Gitahi is a trainer at Kenya Online College, Kenya Institute of Information Technology and NITA and has been involved in education all his life. He is very passionate about helping young people make great career choices. He’s a savvy digital marketer. A mentor to many too. He studied Commerce and ICT at the University. He is also an avid traveller.. Questions? Email him: waibochij@gmail.com