Social Media Marketing – Is it right for your business?
Currently there is a great deal of hype about social media. Everywhere you turn, you hear about social media tools such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. On a recent television newscast, I learned about the “Twitter Effect” and its impact on movie box office sales. I have also heard about people not being hired or losing their jobs because of comments and pictures they have posted online.
What captures the attention of many small business owners is the promise of dramatically increasing revenue and profits using social media. Many of my clients and colleagues ask me, “Should I be doing something with social media marketing?” My answer is a definite “Maybe!” Here are some steps to take before diving head first into the social media marketing pool:
Evaluate Your Current Marketing Strategy:
Take a hard look at your current marketing strategy. Is it working for you? If not, is it because of the strategy or due to a lack of focus and follow through by you? Before starting a new strategy, look for opportunities to better implement and leverage marketing efforts that have a history of success in your business.
Get Educated:
If you know little or nothing about social media marketing, spend some time learning about it. Take advantage of the many articles and free seminars currently available. Don’t know where to start? Just type “free social media marketing seminar” and your location into any internet search engine. You can also check with your local small business association or chamber of commerce.
Determine Your Goal:
Now that you have become educated about social media marketing, consider what you want to achieve by using this strategy. Do you want increased visibility? To drive traffic to your website? To promote a product or service? Having a specific goal will help you to determine how to most effectively use social media marketing for your business.
Determine Your Capacity:
If you are like most small business owners, you are already strapped for time. Similar to any marketing strategy, using social media to promote your business takes time. What time do you have available to commit to social media marketing? If the answer is “none,” you will need to either take time away from something else or hire someone to do it for you.
Consult a Professional:
Seek out a professional with proven experience implementing social media marketing strategies for your type of business. Many of these professionals will offer an initial consultation at no charge. They may also offer seminars and workshops for your specific needs. If you are considering hiring a social media professional, be sure to ask for references and to speak with their clients.
These are just a few steps you can take to help determine if social media marketing is right for you and your business. If you decide to implement this type of strategy, remember to set goals and track your result so you can determine if it is working for you. Good luck!
Scott Walkinshaw
Business Coach
South Florida