by Go2Girls Social Media Specialist – Dawn Pigoni
Years ago, the only way to effectively reach a broad national audience was through television ads – something many small businesses can’t afford to do even once. Now, thanks to the power and accessibility of social media, you can level the playing field between your small company and the big guys.
Here are some tips about using social media to grow your community and maximize your marketing efforts, without blowing your budget.
#1: Revive your advertising strategy. Newspaper advertising is on the decline as are other traditional means of marketing. If you are spending big money on conventional methods, but not getting a return, it’s time to rethink your approach. Social media is the next frontier. Plus, it’s widely accessible and in most cases, free! What do you have to lose?
#2: Communicate with YOUR customers. With social media, it’s easier to pinpoint where your ideal clients are hanging out online. If the majority of your clients or potential customers are mainly using Facebook, you don’t need to waste too much time or effort on a widespread social networking plan. Find out what social media sites your target audience is actively participating on and start there.
#3: Learn everything you can. You don’t need to be a social media expert to make your small business a success. Find all the information you need to set up your social media accounts online. Start with Facebook and Twitter and grow from there. Find the best ways to increase your fan base and engage with potential clients by checking out what other business owners who have been in your shoes have done.
#4: Set realistic goals. Determine what you want to accomplish with your marketing efforts. How will being active on social networks help you get there? Understand that building a social media presence takes time. Don’t expect to bring in a few thousand fans in your first week. It takes a while to reach great heights, but it’s totally doable. Be patient and enjoy the climb.
#5: Reach out for guidance. If you have space in your budget, hire a social media expert to show you the ropes. Just don’t go with the first person you see who claims to be a “guru.” Get recommendations and read reviews to find someone with proven results. The right expert can help mentor you and give you the knowledge and confidence you need to make social networking work for you.
Thanks to social media, you can easily reach people across the country, and the globe, and in many cases the only cost is a bit of time. You can interact with far more people, engage potential customers and encourage brand advocacy among your fans.
Just remember to think long-term results versus short-term benefits. It takes some time to build customer loyalty and broaden your reach, but the return is well worth it. Once you get your feet wet and become more comfortable in the social media world, learn more about how to maintain your accounts easily and effectively at http://besocialworldwide.com/5-social-media-marketing-habits-to-perform-daily.