Go Big With Your Online Presence

According to a National Small Business Association study, approximately 27 per cent of small businesses report they don’t use any social media at all. Meanwhile, 40 per cent of social media users purchased an item after liking it or sharing it on social media. The study also found social media drives instore and online purchasing at equal rates.

It’s never too late for small businesses to join social media and start connecting with customers and developing their online brand.

Here are a few ways to kickstart your social media marketing with examples from companies that are doing it best.

Turn customers into advocates

Turn loyal customers into your biggest advocates. People are oversaturated with marketing messaging and look to social media for advice.

Identify which customers are your most loyal fans, or send out an online survey to rate your company on a scale of 1 to 10 to find out. Keep in touch with those customers through social media, engage with them and occasionally ask them to write a review or share content. Give them shout outs on social media and let them know their opinion is valued.

Generate leads with a sweepstakes

Create a sweepstakes or giveaway to attract more followers for your social media channels. Develop a completely unique sweepstakes to create a buzz and promote more social sharing.

Starbucks launched a campaign to entice its Facebook fans to compete to bring the Pumpkin Spice Latte to their cities first. Facebook users watched videos and answer trivia questions to take the promotion viral and raise awareness about the latte.

Use more images

Not every contest has to be as over-the-top unique as Starbucks. A simple Facebook promotion asking followers to post images of themselves with your product (with a chance to win a prize) can create a stir.

Posts with images are also 94 per cent more likely to be shaered. Add more of your product, employees and inspiring photos to your social media networks to help boost sharing.

Engage and soft sell

Using social media should create a soft sell opportunity for your business. Look at it as an ongoing conversation with your customers, where you get to hear and understand their needs while they get to know your brand.

Don’t make every post about selling. Launch a promotion, use photos and ask your audience fun questions. Asking your audience questions, to engage in fun games and post photos and reviews, is a simple, yet effective way to build up your social media presence.

Reach decision makers

Still not convinced your small business needs a social media plan? According to Forrester, 100 per cent of business decision-makers use social media for work purposes. And 98 per cent of them read blogs, watch videos and listen to podcasts. Those decision makers are prime to share content and engage with your brand.

Want to hear some inspiring numbers? Before Gary Vaynerchuk was an internet phenomenon and bestselling author, he spent 12 hours a day engaging in online markets and social media. It took his father’s small New Jersey liquor store from $4 million in revenue to $50 million through social media online.

SOURCE: Andy Sowards