- Image by vincos via Flickr
The emergence of social media has changed the way business owners look at marketing. They now have the opportunity to instantly reach hundreds, even thousands of people with their message. What’s more, that message is going to reach the exact people who are most interested in their business.
Does it mean that businesses that don’t use social media can’t compete? It probably doesn’t, but Web 2.0 does offer a significant advantage. It makes your business feel personal; it gives it a face, a style and an attitude. Traditional marketing, no matter how targeted the marketing firms say it is, does not have the same effect as Facebook and Twitter updates.
What should business owners keep in mind when posting on social media websites? First of all, they should keep their messages professional. No matter how casual the social network is, the business page and messages on it are the extension of the business. No one wants to but from a business that appears rude, sloppy or impersonal. Secondly, the messages should be timely and frequent. If you plan on having a sale next week, don’t wait till the last day to post an update. Instead, post every day with new details about the sale. Share pictures of the products that are on sale, offer special discounts for people who share your social network profile with their friends and do anything and everything else in your power to be creative. Posting a few fun videos of what goes on at your place of business throughout the day can bring life to your profile.
This in no way means that business owners should forget about doing press releases, mailings and radio advertisements. It is a matter of a combination, and the combination is different for each business. It depends on your goals, budget and product or service that you are offering.
