“Being social is not a choice any more”
I am sure majority of the businesses got this point by now.
But how are you supposed to do it exactly? How can you “be social” as a small business?
I think very first step for every small business is to consider social media marketing as a social media business, the moment you do this mind shift, things will get clear and easy to do.
Majority of the businesses think that creating a Facebook page or opening a Twitter account is doing social media but I am afraid that is not the case.
Facebook page or Twitter account is just like opening an office and waiting for the customers without doing any efforts.
Which often does not happen in the real world, what do you think?
To get new customers once you have the office set up, you need to do quite a few things from phone calls to whole sorts of marketing to keep you busy.
Similar rules apply on social media business.
To grow your social media business you got to do lots of hard work such as:
- Content creation (fuel of social media business)
- Finding targeted audience
- Engaging with your audience (key to success)
- Prospecting and generating leads
Are you ready to take this challenge?
It is worth taking the challenge, because businesses don’t have any other option left in the ever growing social world.
“If you wait until there is another case study in your industry, you will be too late.” –Seth Godin
Here is how I think every small business should start their social media business to get maximum benefits with minimum resources.
1# Social Media Business Plan
This is like having construction drawings before you start building your house.
This is a common sense but often businesses don’t have any road map when they start social media efforts.
Action Step:
- Before spending any money or time on social media I would highly recommend having a plan to follow.
2# Social Media Channels Selection
“Shortage of time”
One common complain we hear from almost every small business all the time.
Therefore, mastering few social media channels is lot better than jack of all trades.
Here is a million dollar tip!
Concentrate on building following on one platform first, once you build a sufficient following on one channel, it will be a breeze to replicate that on other channels.
Action steps:
- Must have a blog (Should be home of your social media activities)
- Facebook , Twitter & Google + (Select one or maximum two to concentrate)
3# Continuous Improvements of Social Channels
Social media business marathon starts from here.
When you decided to do social media as a business then you will have to do most of the things you would normally do in any other business.
Action steps:
- Start listening (use social media tools to find out what your customers are looking for)
- Provide solutions to their problems with authority (content strategy)
- Engage and build relationships
- Offer value (Reputation is everything)
- Show up often on your social channels (You already know this is the key to success for most businesses)
Conclusion
Yes, you’re running a business. Yes, you have to pay bills and salaries to your staff. Yes, you’re the one working your tail off. But it doesn’t matter.
Imagine how beneficial it can be once you manage to build a tribe of few thousand engaged followers around your businesses?
Building a tribe of few thousand engaged followers is = business success.
And the foundation of building a solid social media business depends on how good are you at helping your fans and followers to solve their problems.
This is the only thing that matters.
How your social media journey is going on so far? Do you have any question? Feel free to share your thoughts or ask question in the comments below.
photo credit: jakeandlindsay
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