Marketing a Small Business Through Social Media Part I
Social media has changed the face of more than just the Internet, but of communication as well. It makes it easier than ever to keep in contact with friends, family, and even strangers from all over the world. But there are business implications as well, and many have been utilized by business owners running small companies. It is a great way of getting the message out for free, and any good business owner will tell you to take full advantage of free advertising when you hear about it.
The problem is deciding what kind of social media to focus on. Reuters did an article last year (“Small business, social media not mixing”) that gave some interesting statistics. Two thirds of 500 small businesses that were asked had found no help from sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, and had not sought any other social media resources to assist them in better marketing their business. This was because most didn’t know what was available to them, and so missed out on the various sources opened to them through social media.
There are several different types of social media, which can be drawn on when putting together a full marketing strategy. Each will signify a different branch of that social media marketing plan, and can be added to any other attempts to advertise and drawn in business for your company. Keep in mind that it is important to stretch out as much as possible to bring in your full result potential.
Social Media Type One: Facebook, Twitter, and Other Personal Update Sites
If you have a personal Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace account you have likely received friend invitations from businesses in your area. You may have also seen ‘fan groups‘ for businesses. This is a great way to advertise your company. People will commonly add themselves as fans or friends to a certain business, and it will show on their page as a recent add. Others who see it and are fans will add it to theirs, and it keeps going. Not only does this show your business to their friends who may have been unaware of your company, but it reminds those who shop their that you are around, keeping you fresh in their minds.
Another benefit is that you will be able to show off promotions, sales, contests, and anything else going on with your company. It is a fast way to get the word out about changes and opportunities, which would normally be difficult to alert customers. The best part is that this is free for you, and so does not have to come from your annual or monthly advertising budget (don’t forget to take into account the time you or your employee(s) have to spend working on these though).
Next week we will discuss the other types of social media, which can be used for great business marketing purposes. We will also discuss, in coming weeks, the pros and cons of using social media, the way to use it more effectively, and tips and resources to get you started. Whether you own a small or medium sized business, you need all the help you can get to compete with the big guys. Getting your name out there is the first step.
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