Social media is a powerful tool that can help small business owners reach new customers and grow their businesses says Peter DeCaprio. But, it’s important to use social media responsibly and follow the proper etiquette. Here are the 9 do’s and don’ts of social media for small business owners.
Do:
1. Use social media to create a strong brand presence.
2. Let your customers know that you’re online via social media. Make sure to have a professional-looking Facebook, Twitter, the LinkedIn page that includes positive reviews from real people. These are called “social signals” and can help increase website rankings by getting you in front of potential new customers’ eyes more often.
3. Join industry groups or networks on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to network, get advice and support from other professionals, share best practices and build relationships.
4. Use social media to stay current with industry news so you can provide helpful information to potential customers when they look for solutions in their area of interest or concern.
5. Offer great content you’ve created – whether it’s a blog post, video, or infographic – on social media platforms. And make it easy for people to share it with their networks.
6. Use hashtags judiciously to help people find your content in search engines.
7. Monitor what’s being said about your company and industry on social media. So you can respond quickly to any potential crises.
8. Use social media to connect with your customers and give them a personal glimpse into your company culture.
9. Experiment with different social media platforms to find the ones that work best for you and your target audience.
Don’t:
1. Don’t use social media to blatantly promote your products or services; people can tell when you’re trying too hard.
2. Don’t assume that just because your company is active on social media means. Your customers want to know what you’re up to, all the time says Peter DeCaprio. Be judicious about how often and how much information you share. And don’t send out links or invitations unless you know they’ll be of interest to your audience.
3. Don’t just post about yourself and your company; mix it up with content that’s helpful, interesting, or entertaining to your target audience.
4. Don’t automate all of your social media updates; take the time to personalize them whenever possible.
5. Don’t neglect other aspects of your marketing mix in favor of social media; it should be one tool in your arsenal, not your only one.
6. Don’t ignore the negative comments (or worse, delete them). Address them head-on, apologize if necessary, and try to learn from them.
7. Don’t use social media as a soapbox; if you have strong political or religious beliefs, it’s best to keep them to yourself.
8. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new social media platforms; you may find some that are a better fit for your company than others.
9. Don’t forget that social media is a two-way street; be prepared to engage with your audience, answer their questions and respond to their comments.
Peter DeCaprio: Use social media to create a strong brand presence.
Make sure to have a professional-looking Facebook, Twitter, the LinkedIn page that includes positive reviews from real people. These are called “social signals” and can help increase website rankings. By getting you in front of potential new customers’ eyes more often.
Join industry groups or networks on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to network, get advice. And support from other professionals, share best practices, and build relationships.
Offer great content you’ve created – whether it’s a blog post, video, or infographic – on social media platforms. And make it easy for people to share it with their networks.
Use hashtags judiciously to help people find your content in search engines.
Monitor what’s being said about your company and industry on social media. So you can respond quickly to any potential crises.
Use social media to connect with your customers and give them a personal glimpse into your company culture.
Experiment with different social media platforms to find the ones that work best for you and your target audience.
Don’t automate all of your social media updates; take the time to personalize them whenever possible.
Don’t neglect other aspects of your marketing mix in favor of social media; it should be one tool in your arsenal, not your only one.
Don’t ignore the negative comments (or worse, delete them). Address them head-on, apologize if necessary, and try to learn from them.
Don’t use social media as a soapbox; if you have strong political or religious beliefs, it’s best to keep them to yourself.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new social media platforms; you may find some that are a better fit for your company than others.
Don’t forget that social media is a two-way street; be prepared to engage with your audience, answer their questions and respond to their comments.
Conclusion:
Social media is the future of marketing, and these tips will help you become a social pro explains Peter DeCaprio.