It’s 2014. Small businesses need to be online. I bet this isn’t the first time yo
u’re hearing it, so why wait? 75% of all marketers say Facebook (and other social networks) are key to their lead generation strategies.
The internet has transformed the way we communicate and today’s consumers are more social than ever. Almost 50% of online users rely on social media when making a purchasing decision. If done correctly, social media marketing can increase your return on investment (ROI) and grow your client base for nearly half the cost of traditional marketing.
5 Social Media Do’s and Don’ts for Small Businesses
1. Choose the right social networks for your business
Just as you wouldn’t run your brewing company’s commercial during a children’s program, business owners should choose their social engagement based on the services and products they provide and where their customers are. 93% of marketers use social media for business. But, not all social networks are made for your business.
If your business offers professional services and your main clientele are other business owners, LinkedIn and Twitter may be the best communication tools for you. For businesses who work primarily with consumers, Facebook and Twitter are good choices. Similarly, if you are a baker, artist, or decorator and produce visual, design-focused products or services, Pinterest and Instagram are great for showing off your finished product and communicating with your fans.
Whichever route or social network you choose, take the time to figure out where your clients are and how you can best showcase your hard work.
2. Be a Friend to Make Friends
3. Proofread
Nothing looks more unprofessional than a spelling or grammatical error. A page ridden with typos and errors is distracting and sends the message that you didn’t take the time or energy to proofread your post. Studies show that spelling mistakes can cost millions in lost online sales. Either proofread and read your social media update aloud before posting or prep your update in a Word Document. Beware, spell check does not always work in your favor. It’s best to spend a little extra time and reread your update to ensure it makes sense to human eyes.
4. Do it Yourself
85% of customers expect businesses to be active in Social Media.
Take your social media brand communication seriously. Do not have your teenager handle your content. This is your voice and message to the outside world – handle it with care. Many businesses outsource their social media management to other companies or freelancers. If you are too busy to manage the content yourself, hand the responsibility to someone with proper credentials, communication skills, and sufficient knowledge of your brand and objectives.
5. Create a plan
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| Click here for more on the best times to post |
Here are some important stats for Social Media updates:
- Facebook engagement is 18% higher on Thursdays and Fridays
- Twitter activity for businesses is 17% higher on the weekends
- The best time to tweet is around 5 p.m. on week days
- Promotions and business to business emails are most read between 5-7 p.m. on week days
No matter what you do be thoughtful and careful about your business’ social engagement. Avoid posting your personal information on your business’ social networks. Seek knowledge and actively engage with potential and current customers. In this tech-savvy marketplace, the world is really at your fingertips.
