Social media is gaining ground – but what does that mean for the average small business owner? Can you really use social media platforms to leverage your brand, boost your online credibility and make more sales?
Courtesy of socialpeel.com
Many small business owners believe ‘no’ is the answer. But they couldn’t be more wrong! Social media is the most powerful communication tool since the television, and it will continue to revolutionize small business practices as the months go on.
The problem is, small business owners don’t truly understand social media – and where there is confusion, there’s always frustration and eventually, abandonment. That’s why many small business owners will miss out on the opportunity to expand their businesses dramatically with the help of social media marketing.
Like the television, those that jump on the bandwagon now will be the ones that make the most money. Facebook almost gets more traffic than Google – and experts are saying social media is a temporary ‘fad’ – ha!
Let’s take a look at why your small business should pay attention to social media.
Widespread Coverage
Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn attract millions and millions of people every day. A small business looking for a cost effective way to market their business, product or service, should see social media for the gift that it is. Budget for a comprehensive social media campaign, and you’ll see results faster than advertising on any other platform – on or offline.
Marketing Control
One of the best things about social media, is that a small business owner can launch a social media strategy on any budget. Because it’s so easy to control, you can limit or expand your marketing pursuits on a weekly basis if necessary. That means you never receive unwanted bills, or spend beyond your means on the Internet. Everything from advertising, to content development is easy to cost out with social media.
Personalizing Your Business
Remember that time you visited your friends clothing shop, and bought a ton of clothes – just because you wanted to support them? Social media done right, usually leads to a similar result.
Businesses are becoming more personal, as consumers expect a human voice to go with an online brand. For large businesses this is incredibly hard, but for small businesses – it’s easy. Turn your business into a social one, where communication runs both ways, and watch how your reputation and bottom line grow.
The Long Haul
When most small business owners hear about social media, they get excited at the financial possibilities it might create for them. They soon become disillusioned however, as after 5 months of constant Tweeting, Facebooking and blogging – they still haven’t made any money.
So they quit. Social media is a long term strategy, which means there needs to be plan in place to make it work, and a system of measurement to tell if it is working. Those that don’t give up will see the greatest rewards. According to the Small Business Success Index, 45% of small businesses expect to see profit from social media within 12 months.
Small business has the most to gain from a solid social media strategy. Start putting yours together today, or speak to a professional who can help you leverage your brand online. Do it ASAP and be a pioneer in your field.
Should small businesses do their own social media campaigns?
What are the pros and cons? Tell us!
Comments
5:42 am on January 31st, 2011
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12:34 pm on February 1st, 2011
Great blog post, nice web page theme, maintain the good work
5:58 am on February 2nd, 2011
@Dusty – thanks! Its always nice to know we’re doing something right! Keep on reading:)
8:57 am on March 10th, 2011
Great debate you did on this article but i heard recently, Moroccans complained of having their Facebook accounts hacked, possibly by the government, or possibly by pro-monarchy forces isn’t it risky?
11:16 am on March 10th, 2011
@Michelle – Facebook does its best to prevent people from hacking into personal accounts, but I guess there will always be risks when you put private or business information on the internet. This is no reason to be afraid of using sites like Facebook, and you can always limit what you want to put out into the public domain. The key is to use social media to grow your small business into a medium sized one quicker and more efficiently than you could have done – say 10 years ago – without it. Use technology, and make things happen for your business! Ignore the negative things you hear out there – they will always keep you from your full potential!
3:32 pm on August 7th, 2011
The main problem is your typical business owners thinks of advertising as spending money to make money. Social media is spending money to increase exposure and they don’t get how that will residually expand their bottom line.
9:28 am on August 8th, 2011
@Kevin – well said. There are many other benefits aside from immediate profit, but I suppose it will take a few years before people are truly convinced of the value of social media.