The first step to creating a successful marketing strategy for your small business is to determine which social network is right for the type of business you’re running.
The easiest way to find out which social networks are right for you is to look at your customer base. Are they predominantly male or female? What age group do they fall within? What geographical location are they mostly in?
Once you know this information, take a look at the major social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest) and see where most of your customer base is located. This will help you decide which social media platform(s) to use.
For example, if most of your customers are in the 16-35 year old demographic, then Facebook would be the best choice for you because it has the highest number of users in that age group. If most of your customers are between 35-50 years old, then Pinterest would be the best choice for you because it has the highest number of users in that age group.
Many small business owners are hoping that social media will bring them more business. That is not how it works. Social media is for building relationships, not sales. A business owner can use social media to build relationships with clients, with potential clients, and others interested in their business. This will help the business owner to have more opportunities to sell his or her product or service.
Business owners need to have a presence on social media sites. However, there are many different social media sites, so which one should you be on? The answer depends on your niche and your business model. If you are a service-based company with a local clientele, then Facebook might be the right site for you. If you have a product that appeals to a specific niche audience, then Pinterest might be the right site for you. Even if you own a traditional bricks-and-mortar store, you can still benefit from having a presence on social media. Many people these days research online before they buy something in person. Do not underestimate the power of word of mouth either; if your product or service is good enough, then trust me–people will talk about it!
