Social media is a powerful tool for increasing brand awareness and reaching new audiences.

If you have a business, you need to leverage the power of social media to increase sales, but what does that look like exactly?

Here are five examples of how your company can leverage social media to increase your visibility and attract traditional, as well as transitional, media attention. These are practical tools. Yet, if it seems overwhelming and you don't have a social media team to help you, the best thing you can do is pick one to focus on. The stick with that strategy until you are ready to expand your social media budget and team.

1. Share engaging content:

Companies can use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share engaging content that is relevant to their audience. This can include product demos, customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the company culture, and updates on industry trends and news. For example, on your Facebook page, you could:

1. Provide engaging video content. This can include product demos, behind-the-scenes looks, customer testimonials, or entertaining and informative videos related to the industry.

2. Give interactive content. Examples of interactive content include quizzes, polls, and surveys that encourage users to participate and share their opinions.

3. Share User-generated content: User-generated content can be highly engaging on Facebook. Companies can encourage users to share photos and videos of themselves using their products or services and share this content on their own page. This can help encourage others to try the product or service.

2. Engage with influencers:

Companies can engage with social media influencers who have a following in their industry or target audience. This can involve sharing their content, collaborating on projects, or sponsoring posts in exchange for exposure to the influencer's audience. Some ways you can engage with influencers is by:

1. Send free products to influencers and ask them to review the products on their social media channels. This can help to increase the visibility and credibility of the product, as well as reach a wider audience. The influencer can also provide valuable feedback that can be used to improve the product.

2. You can work with influencers to create sponsored posts or collaborations on social media. This can involve the influencer creating content that highlights the company's products or services, such as creating a recipe using the company's food products or showcasing a new clothing line. The company can compensate the influencer for their work and gain exposure to their audience.

3. Invite influencers to take over your social media channels for a day or a week. During this time, the influencer can create content, engage with followers, and share their thoughts and experiences related to the company's products or services. This can help to increase engagement and attract new followers to the company's social media channels.

3. Use paid social advertising:

Companies can use paid social advertising to target their audience with highly relevant content, such as sponsored posts or promoted tweets. This can help to increase their visibility and attract media attention. Some ways you can use paid ads strategy is to:

1. Use Retargeting ads: Companies can use retargeting ads on social media platforms to reach people who have previously visited their website or engaged with their content. These ads can be tailored to the individual's interests and behavior, making them more likely to convert and make a purchase.

2. Use Lookalike Audience ads: Companies can use lookalike audience ads to target people who have similar characteristics and behaviors to their existing customers. This can help to expand their reach and attract new customers who are more likely to be interested in their products or services.

3. Promoted Product ads: Companies can use promoted product ads to highlight specific products or services on social media platforms. These ads can include product images, descriptions, and pricing information, making it easy for users to click through and make a purchase. The company can target these ads to their ideal audience based on demographics, interests, and behavior.

4. Monitor social media conversations:

Companies can monitor social media conversations related to their industry or brand using tools like social listening software. This can help them to identify trends and topics that are of interest to their audience and engage in relevant conversations. Some ways you can monitor conversations include:

1. Hashtag tracking: Companies can track relevant hashtags related to their brand or industry to monitor conversations and engage with users. They can use social media listening tools to track mentions of specific hashtags and analyze the sentiment of the conversations.

2. Keyword tracking: Companies can also track keywords related to their brand or industry to monitor conversations and identify opportunities to engage with users. This can include tracking specific product names, competitor names, or industry-related terms. They can use social media monitoring tools to track these keywords and identify trends and insights.

3. Brand mention monitoring: Companies can monitor mentions of their brand on social media platforms to identify opportunities to engage with users and respond to feedback. They can use social media listening tools to monitor mentions of their brand name, social media handles, and product names. This can help them to identify customer pain points, address negative feedback, and showcase positive customer experiences.

5. Host social media contests or giveaways:

Companies can host social media contests or giveaways to encourage user-generated content and engagement. This can involve asking followers to share photos or videos using the company's products, or offering prizes to those who share or comment on the company's posts. This can help to increase engagement and attract media attention. Some ideas include:

1. Photo or video contests: Companies can ask followers to submit photos or videos that showcase their products or services. The company can then choose a winner or winners and offer a prize, such as a gift card or product bundle. This can help to increase engagement and encourage user-generated content.

2. Follow and share contests: Companies can ask followers to follow their social media channels and share a post in order to be entered into a contest. This can help to increase the company's visibility and reach new followers. The company can offer a prize, such as a free product or a discount code, to those who participate.

3. Trivia or quiz contests: Companies can create trivia or quiz contests related to their products or services. Followers can answer questions and be entered into a drawing for a prize. This can help to increase engagement and promote brand awareness by encouraging followers to learn more about the company and its offerings.

"Social media is not just an activity; it is an investment of valuable time and resources. Surround yourself with people who not just support you, but are actively working to help you uncover the best ways to penetrate the market and stay visible." - Sean Gardner, author and social media strategist.