If you’ve been waiting for the right time to get started with social media for your small business, this is it. Most of the larger social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) have been around for years. It’s no longer a fad or just for teenagers. Small businesses have been watching and waiting to see if social media would work for them or just didn’t have time to try something new.
In this article, I want to share why social media is right for small businesses and how you can get started.
In the past, you’d need to hire someone to create marketing materials for you, find a public relations person to write a press release for you for big announcements, and maybe an advertising specialist to create ads. While you still need to find these people on occasion, social media can do the job of many of these specialities and reach people in a much more personal way.
Diversify your marketing with social media
Social media is a combination of sales, marketing, PR, and advertising for your company. Using online communication methods for your small business can help you grow locally and globally depending on your goals.“44 percent of local businesses said they depend on social media to generate brand awareness, and 41 percent depend on it to drive revenue.”
In traditional marketing, would you limit yourself to only one marketing outlet? I can’t imagine the answer is yes. Likewise, don’t box yourself into a corner with social media. Spread your wings, try something new and determine what works best for your business.
By mixing social media with online advertising and PR efforts, you will be able to expand your business further than you ever imagined.
If you’re a small, local business, you might want to take out ads in your local Shopper magazine or newspaper to reach your community but you could also connect with them with a Facebook post or ad. If you look around in your shop, the grocery store, and even walking around in your neighborhood, you’ll see many people have their heads down looking at their smartphones.
The bottom line is that people are on social media
You need to reach people where they are spending their time. So, yes, social media can absolutely help small businesses with their marketing, PR, communications, and customer service by actively being a part of the digital landscape.There’s no one better suited to tell the story of your company and help people who have questions about your business or in your area of expertise.
Using social media can reduce your marketing costs by providing exposure to you from new people who find you through your social media posts.
How social media can help small businesses
- Reach more people
- Smaller budget than traditional marketing
- Target local customers
- Tell your story
- Highlight your customers
- Join your community online
- Support local partners
Social media works for local small businesses
Betsy, owner [and my amazing hair stylist] of B & B Style Salon, started posting on Instagram with the goal of sharing her salon and reaching more people. Betsy loves doing wedding parties and posted wedding photos on Instagram. She was contacted by the local newspaper for a featured interview in their annual Bridal Guide which resulted in thousands of dollars of free advertising for her business.If you’re wondering how they found her, notice the hashtags at the bottom of the above Instagram post. Betsy used #bridalparty, #weddinghair, #weddingmakeup, #keene, and #keenenh which are all searchable in the Instagram app. When the reporter from the Keene Sentinel was looking for information on Keene and weddings, B & B Style Salon’s post popped up. Being strategic with her social media posts helped the right people find her post.
From Postplanner,
“As you learn more about how to use social media for your small
business, the social sites you should be on will become almost obvious
to you.”
If you don’t have a clear understanding about which social networks to be on, here’s how a few of them can work:
- Facebook (be sure to setup the geotargeting)
- Instagram (excellent for small business)
- LinkedIn (like an international Rotary Club!)
- Twitter (listening to the conversations on Twitter will provide valuable insight)
Instagram works for small businesses
Instagram is very hot right now with huge grow rates on the platform. If you’re not sure where to start, Instagram might be a good start.Once you decide which social networks you’ll use — be sure to cross promote that content in your other online marketing and PR pieces also!
http://pegfitzpatrick.com/social-media-small-businesses/
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