In the modern business age, Social Media is the next best thing to sliced bread. In fact, if you are a small service business, your Social Media profile is fast becoming one of the most important ingredients in your overall recipe for success.
As part of an integrated and comprehensive marketing strategy, Social Media should never be overlooked. You can plan you campaign with our Promotions Plan template for a successful marketing mix.
Why is social media important to a small business like yours?
Well, if your brand is to succeed online, it needs to represented across all channels. That includes not just your shiny new website, but also being part of online communities who will help to promote your brand exponentially.
You may already have your own personal Facebook page, or post the odd selfie to Instagram from time to time. But with over 2 billion active social media accounts worldwide, social media platforms have come a long way from just being a fun gimmick for personal use.
But, does my business really need social media?
Yes, yes it really does. In case you are struggling to see why, here are our top 10 reasons for getting your small service business to go social.
1. Get to know your customers
Because social media operates in real time, you can instantly find out more about your customers – who they are, what they like and how they feel about your brand.
2. Target your customers directly
Social media offers a cost effective way to reach out directly to certain key demographics. You can narrow down by age, location and even lifestyle choices.
3. Keep your customers close to you
By engaging in fun, interesting and informative social media posts you keep your customer on board. By running competitions, offering freebies or even just by keeping them engaged with news about new products and promotions, you keep them engaged and on side.
4. Generate better lead conversion
Social media increases sales and customer retention through regular interaction and timely customer service. By keeping your customers engaged and informed you grow your reputation, and in turn, your business. Selling via social media should lead to an increase in sales.
5. Enrich your customers experience
Your customers will expect you to offer 24 hour support, 7 days a week. Companies that can meet these expectation do far better than those that can’t. Social media is an ideal platform to hear from customers and respond to them instantaneously.
6. Increase your website traffic and SEO rankings
One of the biggest benefits of social media for business is using it to increase both traffic to your website and to help your SEO rankings. Each social media platform page adds volume to your search rankings.
7. Keep and eye on the competition
Even if you are not yet on social media, you can guarantee your competition will be. By carefully monitoring them, you can gain key information about your competitors, enabling you to offer product enhancements, service, or content that they may be missing.
8. Share the news with everyone
With social media there is no need to worry about how reach out to your audience when you are in a hurry. Your social media streams will allow you to reach them in the shortest possible time, allowing you to share news with them 24 hours a day.
9. Geo-target your content
Sounds fancy doesn’t it? Geo-targeting is an effect way to reach out to a specific audience based on location. Facebook and Twitter will allow you to do this.
10. Build relationships
Most importantly social media isn’t just about selling your wares online, it’s a two way channel where you can develop relationships with your customers. Sure, you can reach out to them and promote your goods and services, but far more importantly you can create dialogue with your audience to see what they really want and need from you.
For more helpful resources for your small service business, visit us at www.marketingaccomplish.co.uk/resources