5 Tips for Social Media Success for Small Business

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogging are inexpensive ways for small businesses to market themselves without the large costs traditionally associated with advertising.

Enter websites, blogs and social media.  The advent of social media and blogging presented small businesses with an enormous opportunity to connect with their customers on the internet. Social media took it one step further and allowed businesses to actually have conversations

"and build relationships with their customers online."

Social media, when managed properly is a powerful tool that small businesses can use to their advantage.  Below are 5 tips that small businesses should keep in mind when marketing on a social media platform like Facebook, Twitter or Google+.

1. Be Consistent – Lots of businesses have great intentions when setting up a Facebook page or Twitter account but good intentions don’t get the job done.  Nothing looks worse than seeing 2 posts from 2010 on your businesses Twitter account, and no other interaction for 2 years! It makes your business look outdated and out of touch.
2. Be Gracious – Social Media will open the door to communication from your customers, both positive and negative.  When negative information is presented on your social media accounts, be gracious when responding rather than using the platform to get upset with a negative comment.
3. Be Humble – Don’t forget to thank your customers, or admit a mistake.
4. Be Creative – Use your social media accounts to be creative when communicating with your customers.  Say creative or funny things that will get the attention that will set you apart.
5. Be Careful – This goes along with #4.  Be careful what you say.  Make sure that what you say won’t be viewed as offensive to your customers.  If in doubt, err on the side of caution rather than writing something that might cause you to offend a certain demographic for a comment that could be interpreted negatively.

If you’re a small business and you haven’t yet embraced this method of advertising and communicating with your customers, you’re missing out.  Take the time to develop a social media strategy and seek help if you don’t know where to start or you just don’t have the time or interest to keep up with this crucial form of communication.  It’s one of the most cost-effective and useful forms of advertising that exists and each day you don’t take part, you’re missing out on your opportunity to connect with your customers.