Let’s be honest, being a deal maker isn’t for the faint of heart. Among the many expectations placed on M&A professionals, there is increased competition, staying up-to-date on economic markets, and meeting the high standard that our clients have for us. And that’s excluding the hardest challenge of all: landing new clients. With the traditional means of generating new clients slowly losing its value, many firms are struggling to find new avenues to connect with potential clients. Ready for the good news? There’s a solution. It’s called social media.
Despite how prolific social media has become, it’s still a relatively untapped market in the M&A industry. Even now, you might be wondering whether social media really can make a difference for your firm. The truth is, without a guided approach, it probably won’t make a difference. But that’s where a good strategy and attainable goals come into play. At Merger Labs, we’ve identified five distinct ways that social media can elevate your firm, and give you an edge over the competition.
Social Media Establishes You as an Authority in Your Industry
When it comes to attracting new clients, perception is everything. Unless the prospective client has some personal relationship with your firm, there’s a non-zero chance that they’re going to look you up online. If you’re active and vocal on social media --and actually know what you’re talking about-- you’re more likely to be trusted. The more that people trust your advice and opinion, the more respect you’ll gain in the online community. If you’ve developed this reputation long enough, people will start to seek you out, or engage with you directly about relevant business. Just remember, a narrow scope identifies you as a specialist in your field, while a broad scope may seem unfocused. So if there’s a particular subject that you feel strongly about, pursue it relentlessly.
The only way to truly showcase your expertise is by providing content that your audience will find relevant. If there’s a particular topic that’s on your mind, don’t be afraid to broadcast it. Every piece of information that you provide is an opportunity for your community to engage with the content and offer their own thoughts. The more material you have out in the world, whether blogs, interviews, videos, podcasts, tweets or posts, the higher your chances of being recognized as an authority.
It Helps you Foster a Strong Online Reputation
This works hand-in-hand with showcasing your expertise. If you’ve established yourself as an authority in your field, you will naturally begin to attract a following. With every new person that discovers and appreciates your insight, you’re creating a stronger online reputation. The perks only grow from there. You’ll see increased exposure, heightened engagement, and more direct interactions with a strong social media presence.
You don’t need hundreds of thousands of followers to gain a reputation, either. By sticking to what you know best, you’ll attract people that are interested in your speciality. When you’re starting out on social media, it’s not about gathering the largest following immediately, but finding followers that will engage with your posts. That’s what will lead to the most growth and can help new clients find you when searching for M&A Firms or Business Brokers.
It Provides a Multitude of Avenues for Your Clients to Reach You
A strong online reputation isn’t the only way you make it easier for clients to find you. With each form of social media that you use, you’re increasing your chances of being discovered by a new client. By using a multitude of different social media platforms, you’re tipping the odds in your favor. Look at it this way, if you are the only brokerage firm in your area that uses LinkedIn, you’re going to be the only option for clients looking through LinkedIn for a potential firm! Now, your chances of being the only brokerage firm on any social media platform are slim. That’s why specialization is so important. You can be the only brokerage firm for architects and engineers in your area. But you can still miss clients if you aren’t active on the social media platforms you choose to use. With every account that you create, make sure your details are accurate and easily available for anyone that might want it. It doesn’t matter how many platforms you use if clients can’t reach you immediately.
It Allows you to Stand Out from your Peers with Promoted Content
Once you’re on social media, there are a few extra ways to jump ahead of the competition, no matter how short a time you’ve been on the platform. Almost every platform offers some form of ‘promoted posts’ that you can use to your advantage. These are essentially targeted ads, and allow you to promote your firm directly to interested parties, such as people that have recently searched for brokerage firms. Promoted content will put you on the front page of their feed, and all you have to do is sell them on your abilities. It makes the introduction for you, and all you have to do is make the sale.
Building out your Brand
Over the past few years, personal branding has risen to prominence like never before. Whereas it once was only celebrities, athletes, and billionaires that created brands around their identity, now it’s almost a requirement at all levels of business. Especially as a broker, having a brand that people view as trustworthy and reliable can go a long way in attracting new clients. So if you’re trying to cultivate a strong identity for your firm, social media is the place to start.
Looking to Maximize your Impact on Social Media? Merger Labs is here to help.
We understand that there’s a large difference between knowing what you have to do on social media, and being able to implement it. Not every firm has the time or energy to spend on creating a reputable online presence, but that’s what we’re here for. We’re a group of digital marketers and social media experts who are supported by ex-bankers. Together, we know what it takes to help brokers make an impact online. If you’re looking for a digital marketing firm with direct experience in investment banking and business consulting, contact us online, or email our team directly at garrett@mergerlabs.com.
