Social Media Marketing for Small Business | Get With It in 3 Easy Steps
Small businesses need to get social - or risk being left behind.
Three easy first steps
In today's world of uber-advancing technologies, small businesses need to remain on par with current social media culture - if they are even to look competitive.
Although we, as small business owners, may not be as up-to-date as we'd like on the latest communication trends, in order to appeal to this generation of customers and the next, it is simply a marketing necessity to get on board.
Use the following 3 easy first steps to catapult your business into the now of social media and finally get with the program - or be left behind in a world that is all about conversation. Here's how.
The social media train has left the station. Now, get on board!
Why Every Business NEEDS to Launch a Social Media Campaign:
It's a whole new mind-set...
Step 1: Get a Facebook page
Every small business, or at least, every small business owner, should have a Facebook page as part of their evolving social media marketing campaign.
Use this to forge relationships in your community, announce interesting events or happenings pertinent to your business, create a positive presence in your locality and to even offer discounts or helpful information (via content links) for loyal followers.
Provide link-throughs to your website and pictures of your office. Make sure you can always be found with ease by updating posts often (from every few days to just once a week can have impact) and cultivating friends lists.
In ways such as these, you’ll stay on people's minds and create a persona of reputability for your company. Feature customers and what they are doing, so as to spread networking mojo among followers while portraying yourself as a leader in your field of work.
This truly is an easy effort that requires minimal time and can become key to gaining new business in the future. You want people thinking of you when they need what you got! It’s an investment in relationships that will pay off in the future.
It's not about GROWING SALES now. It's about GROWING TRUST.
The future's calling - answer the phone! (or just check Twitter...)
The Amazing Consumer Reach of Social Media: Shocking Statistics
Quote:
“You are what you tweet.”
- Alex Tew, Monkey Inferno
Step 2: Get on Twitter!
Twitter seems like a far-out concept to those who have not yet engaged, especially when you're (clear throat) over 40.
However, with one day's worth of exploration, you can be on your way to being a Twitter expert, or at least contender.
Consider dedicating an employee (or hiring a writer) to post several times a week on interesting tidbits not only relevant to your own company, but relevant to your business as a whole. Link to interesting reads, post images or insightful quotes that will have people thinking you are a go-to in your field.
Trust me, it is one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do to look informed.
Social media and Twitter for business is not going away - so if you can't beat 'em, you have to join! And realize that by taking the time to post yourself, if you choose that path, you will have the added benefit of remaining ever up-to-date on goings-on peripheral to business – literally keeping you the guru you want to be for your product.
Again, this is something you can do now to grow leads and position your company for better success later.
Check out helpful articles like Using hashtags on Twitter and Getting started on Twitter to help you get the most out of your tweets by utilizing things like the # symbol and the @ sign. Such things will help you be better found, grow followers and build relationships toward greater and greater success.
Your small business can do this. It's easy!
Blogging isn't about being a flawless writer... just that friend giving simple advice.
Quote:
“The goal of social media is to turn customers into your personal evangelist.”
– Shane Barker, ShaneBarker.com Tweet This!
Step 3: Be all about the blog
Blogging is a form of social media and every business should have a blog with posts updated regularly.
Including a blog on your website will not only keep your readers informed about topics they may be interested in regarding your business, but it will help SEO, increasing visibility with search engines by forcing them to continually visit your evolving site.
Don’t just write posts yourself, but invite guest bloggers that are related to your industry to post on interesting topics on your blog – adding both credibility and value for readers.
Feature your customers' businesses, and guest blog yourself on sites of contemporaries. This is network and content creation at its best.
Select topics that people visiting your site will find useful - even if it doesn't have to do with you specifically. For example, if you are a real estate company, post 3 Easy Tips to Help Children During a Move or the like. You get the picture.
And then, tweet out the links on your Facebook and Twitter pages with images that will get attention, making your social media campaign a cohesive whole to amp business and build trust, literally becoming that guy next door that's there to help.
Walk in and join the scene, or better yet, create one. It's time.
Helpful Hints 101 for Professional Usage of Social Media:
Facebook Tips
| How to Get Started onTwitter
| Blogging Best Practice
|
---|---|---|
Grow your Friends list.
| Just jump in and sign up!
| Keep pieces short and simple.
|
Post your interactions.
| Get the lay of the land through observation.
| To generate topics, think about what problems your audience encounters.
|
Keep it casual but semi-professional.
| Send your first tweet.
| Provide quick tips to solve.
|
Create an image.
| Follow experts and mentors.
| Be friendly and casual.
|
Provide useful info and discounts - be helpful.
| Comment on other posts and repost interesting links.
| If you simply can't write, hire a writer or find your employee that can!
|
Start taking pics as part of business as usual.
| Use hashtags to tag your tweets (and your profile) for searches.
| Guest blog on other sites.
|
Keep it to a few posts a week.
| Tweet inspiring quotes.
| Invite others to guest blog on your site.
|
Build trust in your community.
| Get involved in conversations.
| Remember, its all about being an expert in your business (because you are).
|
Stay on people's minds.
| Start conversations
| Use bulleted lists.
|
Remember it's not about sales, it's about making connections for the future.
| Learn to add images into tweets.
| Use scannable subheadings.
|
Never cross the line.
| Build relationships by mentioning others in your tweets via the @ sign.
| Stay between 300-600 words.
|
Post links to your blog and drive traffic to your site.
| Tweet links to your blog and drive traffic to your site.
| Promote new blog posts on your Facebook and Twitter pages.
|
Video: Do's and Don't's of Social Media Marketing
Your social media campaign should create a working whole.
Social media has many avenues.
The future is bright
Of course, social media efforts for your company may not end here. However, these first steps will open the door as well as your eyes to the benefits of a social media marketing plan.
By remaining involved in Facebook, Twitter and blogging efforts, you will ensure that moving forward will be that next logical step simply as a matter of course. Once you’re involved, the bigger picture will become clear and you can evolve with technologies that you will begin to understand better through utilization and presence.
Follow some social media experts on Twitter and read up on areas that interest you further. For example, e-mail marketing, u-tubing and Pinterest may provide logical venues for that next move. Once you’re connected to those in the know, you can judge what’s best for your company because you’ll be living it, and understanding where real value comes from in your particular business. Now, good luck... and have fun!
What Will Your Next Move Be?
Start your social media marketing campaign today. Just do it!
What do you think?
Do you think you'll start a social media marketing campaign for your small business?
Products to Help You Go Pro:
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