You have a great website – YAY! You may also be doing some pay per click advertising as well – double YAY. But the question is… are you everywhere your target market is? If not, a great place to be is on social media. I don’t mean you need to be on every one. I work in social media and I can’t even keep up. There is so much out there, so be sure to take baby steps!
There are 1.15+ billion (lots of zeroes) Facebook users, 500+ million Twitter users, 500+ million Google + users, 238+ million LinkedIn users and 70+ million Pinterest users to name a few of the top social media channels, as indicated in a 2013 info graphic by Digital Insights. So, there is a LOT, for a lack of better words and well, do you think that your market is in there somewhere? Do you think that you could tap into those zeroes? I know I could!
But again, this doesn’t mean you need to be everywhere, just where your market is… or at least pick one that you are most familiar with and go with it. Create your page/account, complete your profile with your picture or logo, explain your services (using keywords that represent your business) and be sure to include your contact information so they can get a hold of you. This should include your name, phone number, email address and your website so they can find out more about your business before contacting you, should they want to. I would also recommend taking the time to link your social media to your website for any visitors to your website, they can follow your daily updates to your social media and keep in the know of your product offerings, services, helpful tips and the like.
So, with that being said, once you have this set up, begin posting and remember that social media is typically 80% engagement with 20% self promotion. Why do we do this? Well, you know how it is when you have a conversation with someone and all they do is talk about themselves without asking how you are, what you do, how your holiday was, or the like? You wanted to turn them off and turn and run, right? Exactly! Your followers will tune you out and potentially unfollow you. This is what we want to prevent. Here’s the other side – you know that friend who is always giving their ear, providing you with tips or helpful advice? You want to keep talking and listening to this person and offering the same thing to them. Then, when you have a tough time and really need that ear to listen, you know they are there. Well, this is kind of what we are trying to create with social media. You want to provide encouragement, funny visuals, uplifting words, tips, tricks or advice within your industry with the hopes that when they need your services or product that they will turn to you… OR when someone says “do you know someone who does X”… you will be that person.
Social media requires a lot of effort but worth it if you put in the work. #socialmedia #smm Click To TweetIt is a lot of work but can be well worth the efforts if you keep with it. Plus, there are lots of tools out there to help you with the process… but that’s another blog. 🙂
If you just don’t have the stomach for it and need some help, I would be happy to assist and take the burden off your hands by setting up your social media for you, as well as post engaging content for you. Please contact me for more information. I look forward to hearing from you or seeing your feedback here. Thanks for visiting!
~Kristen
Kristen — social media is no longer “optional” in business. It’s just like email, then cell phones — a communication tool and platform that is now incorporated into how we live and work. Both email and cell phones took a bit of time to get used to, but most today would hardly know what to do without them!
True, you and I know it… and our DIYSocial group but there are many businesses out there with a FB and the most recent post in 2012, and those are with a lot of followers… it’s a shame. I feel for these people and those are the ones I am trying to reach.. like hey… you have this GREAT following, they are potential clients or referrals via their friends. Let’s utilize them… I can help. Thanks Cathy – Truth girl! 😉
Well, of course, being a social media strategist, I completely agree with you.
There are still so many companies that don’t understand how to use it. Your Facebook page example is perfect. Some businesses feel that just HAVING a Facebook page means that they are using social media, when in fact, a Facebook page with no engagement is probably worse that not having one at all.
Well.. you are a smart woman! 😉 Yea, it is like Jackie said.. it’s consistency. I usually think something is better than nothing… however I have seen a site with several hundred followers/likes and no posting with a year… makes me wonder if they are still in business, something happened, loss of income so cutbacks – can’t be good. Good point!
I find often when I meet new people they look me up on social media and connect with me there. I think having some form is presence is almost as important as having a website these days.
I have used LinkedIn as well as Facebook as my “yellow pages” for people and businesses!
People looking for people, businesses for staff, for customers, customers looking for product and proof! social media is the go to right now and will become bigger and better! great job!
Nowadays you have to use social media. There is no maybe.
Agree… it’s a business life or slow death.
In today’s marketplace social media is a must if you want your business to thrive – it isn’t a choice anymore.
You and Mike Kawula cheated.. you copied each other! lol However, it is truth… it is a must. The option not to have it will hurt the business. I always say that you have to be where your consumers are, and where your competitors are… otherwise your competitors will get your consumers!
Great points, Kristen. One interesting fact I learned not long ago its that many younger people ( age 25-34) are using social media as their default search engine. Why would you not want to be there? The key is being consistent; you can’t just create a profile and let it sit.
Thanks Jackie. I don’t get how the younger folks are using it as a search engine. I don’t think that FB has that much going for them yet. I have a hard time finding the people I know on FB and that is with giving the exact name, location, first born, ssn and the like, they still don’t come up… but still.. why wouldn’t you want to be in front of them. lol
I believe in social media, it just has to be done right. It took me a while and I could not do it without help. Consistency, relating to people and interacting is the key.
You are so right Marita… engagement is key. Nothing like doing too much meeeee vomit. Nobody wants to hear all about you but how you can help THEM! Way to reach out and get the extra help that you needed in order to do it right! Good job!
It amazes me that some businesses still do not have a website! I get so frustrated when I can’t find information about a company on the internet.
That is also true Jackie. But I get it.. sometimes if they are the one that does all the work, you have to applaud them for at least getting a website and hopefully they will get to getting all the information on there. We hope… or hire someone to fix it up or optimize it, or the like.
There are so many options with social media. I agree with you about the baby steps.
Agreed, and constantly changing or new things too, thanks Crystal.
Very true! People want to engage with those they business with. 😉
You got it! Thanks Daveda! 😉
Love your thought about the importance of connection. It’s a turn off to me when someone only posts about things they are selling.
Agreed! Thanks Melissa! I mean there is a time and place for it, but when you have a product and service to sell, a lot of times folks are turned off by the ME vomit.. especially if that is the start of conversation.
Yes, I agree! Social Media is a must! People do business with people that they know, like and trust and social media let’s people get to know eachother.
Just playing the other side of the road here – what if a person/business is really BAD at social media. Do you think being on social media platforms can do more harm than good in such a case?
Play away Miss devil. 😉 If they are really bad at it, they need to outsource! 😉 Check out my Time is Money blog.
Right! It’s not enough to just have a great website. Rather, we all need some form of a boost from our different social media platforms. So valuable when it comes to reaching our target market. 🙂
Thanks Edmund!
With so many social media sites to choose from, it’s reassuring to know I’m not the only on who has trouble keeping on top of them all. There are only so many hours in a day!
REST assured… I tread water daily… and I work in the business…there is so much to know.. I love to learn and I have to focus on being focused! lol We’ve got this Maria!
Kristen, You are so right, social media is necessary. Small business can reach and grow like never before with the great tools at our disposal. – T 🙂
Very true, they are actually able to compete! YAY!
Enjoyed your examples Kristen and your point is well made. I could not image not having a FB page. Thank you – T 🙂
Thanks Theresa. Agreed, I couldn’t imagine having a business but not having a FB or website… however, some have them and don’t do anything with them, which is just as bad, if not worse.
Hello,
Thank You for posting this article . I am glad I was able to read this .It has a lot of great points and value by following other, how to gain clients, and your particular market.
Lori English
You are so welcome Lori… this is an older one but still very helpful for small biz owners.