By james art 
In today’s digital landscape, a strong social media presence isn’t just an advantage for local businesses—it’s a game changer.
As more Baton Rouge companies look to expand their reach, many are partnering with social media professionals to improve their marketing strategies. To give business leaders a crash course, the Daily Report reached out to four social media experts: Maameefua Koomson of Quirk-E CreativeJordan Bashum from Wheretogeaux225Jaze Augustus of JCB Mediaand Katrina Lisa of Social225. These professionals share their insights on using social media to drive business growth. Dive into the Q&A below to learn from the best in the business.
How do local businesses go wrong?
Kumson: One of the biggest mistakes I see is posting inconsistently and not fully understanding your audience. If (visitors) can’t find an active page, they will assume the business is closed or go elsewhere. Many business owners post what they like, but you need to think about what your ideal customer wants. Social media is about building community, not just selling every day. Show how your product solves a problem in different, engaging ways and you’ll build a loyal customer base.
Lisa: Many local businesses think they can just throw any old post on their feed and it will magically attract customers. They often forget to engage with their audience. If someone comments, don’t leave it hanging. Answer.
Read the full Q&A.