By Clay Deal - Integrated Marketing Specialist at Xapsis Integrated Marketing
Are you using social media for your small to mid-sized business? In some way, shape, or form, you should be. I am not saying that every single business needs to have a Facebook page, a YouTube Channel, a Blog, Google +,Twitter, LinkedIn, Pintrest, Flickr, MySpace, Instagram, Tumblr, Viddy, etc. But just about all businesses can use one or more of these channels effectively and efficiently.
Also, I’m
not saying that using one of these social media channels will be the cure-all
for your marketing or advertising needs, but if they are used correctly and
with a purpose, they can definitely help your cause. Social media serves as an online meeting
place to build community around your brand and product. It also allows the smaller businesses the
opportunity to level the playing field, so to speak, against the larger
competitors. Your small business may not
be able to afford multiple billboards in the high traffic areas of town. But when it comes to Facebook, your price is
the same as Coca-Cola’s for a 851x3125 Timeline Cover Photo or a 180x180
Facebook profile picture. And Coca-Cola
must abide by the exact same set of rules for these pictures as your small
business.
How do I
know these social media channels work? Clients and personal experience. I sold
two puppies through Facebook, a Blog, and YouTube. The first puppy was sold simply by asking a
friend to “Like” my puppy business page.
She had been looking into buying a puppy for her family and it just so
happened we had our litter at the time she was looking. How many customers could you potentially gain
by just getting your business and services in front of your friends and family
through another marketing medium?
The second
puppy was sold because of another business, Julie’s Corner Store in Lacon, IL. The owner of this store, Julie, has a huge social media presence, which she became infatuated with one of my puppies and made it her own personal mission to find this one a good home. Through her mission and sharing my YouTube videos,
Facebook statuses, and Blog posts, my last little puppy found a home with an
acquaintance of hers. How powerful is
that, having another business with a bigger reach expanding your cause? Online
networking through social media can increase your potential audience
exponentially.
Develop a
plan to use social media, and commit to that plan. Don’t follow it halfway, and then claim it didn't work. In all honesty, there are time investments required, but the long-term rewards are worth it. If you find yourself with the questions of: where to go, how to start, what campaigns to run, what goals should I set? Don't worry, we can help. Contact Julie’s Corner Store online or on Facebook for all of your fudge, wine, or toy needs.
Contact Xapsis today for all your puppy,
I mean social media needs.
