Social media is not for big business only. Being social online is not reserved for the top 500. Social media is about good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing. Which has been the best tried and true marketing strategy – probably since the beginning of time. So it’s time for business small and large to get into the action and start talk to your potential and existing customers.
So why should you get social?
In the days before marketing became a trend word of mouth was what businesses completely relied on. This interaction has great immeasurable value. It’s cheap. It has a lasting impact. It creates loyalty with existing customers. It’s viral – your customers are spreading your message. And if done well, can spread your word into markets you wouldn’t have planned for. There’s so much more behind social marketing.
You learn about your customers: Your customers are a complex group of a variety of interests, experiences and points of view. With social media you can uncover this valuable information by encouraging online conversations not only about your business but what matters most to them.
You learn what they like or don’t like …about your product: Social platforms are a great way to get feedback and reviews on your product or service. Your can create a safe place for your customers to give feedback. You can also review consumer sites like Yelp to read what people maybe saying about you.
You build credibility for your brand: Blogging is social. Blogging about your product, your business environment and what concerns your customers most creates for you a persona of someone in the know. It gives you and your brand credibility that may persuade your customer’s buying decision.
You make yourself more accessible: Again your customers are online. They are searching and gathering information about you. What they can’t find they wont know. By making use of social platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, online business directories and consumer review sites you are creating more avenues where potential customers can find you. This is essential for small businesses to understand. If you want to grow in this day and age you need to be seen. And with the Internet you are not only competing with Bob down the street but also Mary who is selling her goods online. Being seen is essential.
The ROI potential is grrrrrreat!: Traditional media (print, TV and radio) can be very costly and time consuming to produce. It is very hard to measure its effects to your business. A simple classified ad can cost your business tens to hundreds of dollars a week. A full page ad in a national newspaper could run you up into hundreds of thousands. Thought great for brand awareness. You are not necessarily closer to sealing the deal. In comparison social media along with other digital marketing strategies is relatively affordable. Creating accounts on many of these sites are free. What is needed is a bit of time. You have more control on how involved you can be. And the potential reach can be staggering. You may discover networks and regions ripe with potential leads you wouldn’t have imagined with traditional marketing tactics. For example, selling your local good to foreign buyers.
Bonus Reason: You get invited to great networking events where they is always free food.
