Visit any of the popular social media sites: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and you will most certainly find large companies like Starbucks, IBM and Ford using these sites to their full potential and receiving accolades for it.
While small businesses make up more than half of the total market, a recent survey shows that most small and medium businesses (SMBs) are not using social media tools to their full potential, if at all. A survey was done by Zoomerang Online Surveys and Polls that looked at more than 1,100 SMB companies and their use of social media sites. The survey showed that while most of the SMB’s had a Facebook page, they were not using it to engage with current and potential customers. In fact, the survey showed that only 28% of medium and small businesses surveyed said they used their Facebook page to connect with customers.
The survey also looked at more than 500 consumers and polled their use of social media. An overwhelming percentage, 93% to be exact, said they use Facebook. That should tell you just how much of a missed opportunity it is for SMB companies to not use social media.
Small businesses most often say they can’t compete due to lack of marketing/advertising dollars. Well that excuse goes out the window with social media marketing because it doesn’t cost money, just time. Customers are out there, but too often an SMB has closed the social media window. It's like having a mob of customers ready to enter your store at the back door, but you have it locked. Would you insist on having those customers use the front door just because that's how you've always done it? No! You'd walk to the back of the store and let them in. Using social media is that back door. And you have to open it.
If you run an SMB or have a client who does, there are many ways they can use social media tools to their advantage. They can offer discounts or coupons on their Facebook page, make product/service announcements on Twitter and create groups on LinkedIn to stay connected. The bottom line is that they stay connected. Customers are just waiting for whoever shows up.
Don't let lack of money or time get in the way of utilizing what is arguably the cheapest and most powerful marketing tool available. Let us help. Please contact us today to find the best strategy for you or your client.
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