As we go into the holiday season, what’s one thing business owners can do to maximize their impact on social media?

Am I the only one that have never bought something based on a business’ social media post? Am I the only one that is not following specific businesses in my social media feeds to even see what those businesses are posting? Are the people that I interact with on social media the only people that are not following businesses and sharing that info with me?

You already know that delighting your customers is the best way to get more referrals. This is why we suggest that instead of spending your money paying marketing fees that you use your marketing dollars to give to causes your customers care about. Why? Your customers will appreciate that you support things that they care about so in addition to getting referrals from your customers you'll get referrals from the charities in your community that receive your donations. This is the best way to get new customers, earn positive PR for your business and get people posting positive info about your business on social media. That is how you make an impact on social media.

If schools, churches or local nonprofits in your community were asking their supporters to buy your products or use your service would that help you to get more customers?

Let other businesses talk about how great they are. Let your customers and your community talk about how great you are. 

We are gonna break the rules and submit two! Ha Ha 

1) Keep active on social, it is tough during the holiday season for a small business owner to do but very important to help your business cut through all of the online cutter. Just don’t over do it! 

2) Take advantage of tagging your clients/ customers in your posts, this will help you utilize social followers and increase your post visibility. 

We use social media to post the "after" photos from our customer's jobs. It gives others ideas of what they can have done for their vehicle and actually see what it looks like. We do not advertise much, so it's through our reputation and word of mouth or social media that we get most of our work. It takes just a few minutes to post the photo and add a sentence or two. It also helps customers know what we offer.

We are a designated  "3M Pro Shop".  These are dealers that have demonstrated the highest level of expertise and service with 3M Automotive Window Film and Paint Protection Film Products.

Although you want people to "buy your widgets," you can't make every post about you. You need to help promote your community and things in your area. Figure the 8-1 ratio - you need 8 posts that are not self-serving and then use 1 post to let your viewers know about whatever you are promoting. Remember, social media is a 2-way street, not a megaphone on full blast. If that happens, you'll lose more fans. Also, consider doing paid ads to help promote your seasonal specials. Sadly, until the election is done and over, the majority of the things you will be seeing is election-related. So with that in mind, it may behoove you to hold off until after November 3rd.

Being a network marketing professional I have learned that we must build relationships with people to get to know them first, find out what they need, and share information. NO sales pitch. It turns people off. I don't like to be pushed so why do it to others? Build relationships first and foremost.

Less than 10% of emails get opened. Less than 2% of them click on your page. You better have a big list to make those numbers work. Facebook is a better alternative using boosts and ads. Pick one or two irresistible promos and send those out to your target audience. (You can test offers first to a smaller audience.) Do you know that audience and what key words are relevant?  And finally I would go old school and use oversized postcards and send it to 2,000 to 5, 000 of my best customers with a special VIP offer. At least it will be SEEN👍

When your time is limited and you need social media exposure for your business be sure and post at least a short, to the point post about how you appreciate your customers and ask for referrals. Or you can contact me for social media marketing and management. Social media is more important than ever for getting in front of existing and new customers. Don't ignore a great opportunity for more customers and sales. Start a Facebook ad campaign and use retargeting. A/B or split test your ads to target your your desired audience. Think about who your customers are and the best ad campaign to reach them.

Social Media engagement is down, but group activity is where it happening. So my suggestion regardless of the time of year would be as follows.

1. Stay consistent - this is not the time to disappear because you get busy and do not post 1 day a week - post every day (Twitter & IG can handle more posts per day).
2. Be Yourself - stand out in your own way - do not try to imitate anyone else.
3. Get a Littel Personal - people want to know you and they have to see your personal side also, especially right now.  Share photos of you out around town, social distancing & how you are doing it.  Even share screenshots of your meetings on Zoom (if other attendees agree to it).  It will go a long way to earning your potential client's trust as they get to know you better!
4. Share tips to Help Others - tips that are not just found anywhere but that will also help a potential client.  Provide value for your customer, as always.
5. Offer Special Pricing & Discounts (especially if selling products) - it is that time of year.  This year has been especially difficult for everyone so try to give your clients/customers a break to shop with you.
6. Lastly - create a free group and a paid group. 
   1. The free group's focus is on attracting all in your target audience.  Keep them active with discussions, surveys, tips, etc.  Give, give, give & ask questions.  Do NOT sell, sell, sell.  Once a week give a good offer.
   2. The Paid Group only allows those who have purchased from you in the group.  This can be laser-focused in helping others especially if you teach online and they are purchasing your courses.  Give them one on one time with you regularly to build loyalty and ask them to give shoutouts in the free group so others see even more value and benefits.

Many more tips are available (my latest blog - coming out next week - will include some of these and more). 

You must remain persistant as it is about brand awareness and will keep your brand in front of your audience.  Also do some low cost ads as well to help boost your posts, unless really trying to sell then put some money behind the ads.

Wishing you Continued Success!

~Tammy

Tammy's Office Solutions - Boutique Digital Marketing Agency (without agency pricing)

We actually offer a comprehensive social media strategy for companies that are at a loss for how to navigate the social media jungle and/or have no time to create content.  But if you still choose to manage it yourself, we strongly suggest having a positive message that people can relate to.  It doesn't even need to be directly related to your business.  Just make it memorable and personal!  Also, write all of your posts in one shot and then schedule them to go out over a week or month.   

For our own social media, we post fun facts, holiday content, we take photos of other local businesses that we frequent and post about them and tag them.  We also post lighthearted pictures of our own struggles with homeschooling to connect with others that share the same challenges etc.  We rarely post anything about web development.  The posts that do the best are the more personal posts about family.  

Social Media is a great place to advertise for sure. But also think about how you use Facebook and Instagram. Do you run an Ad Blocker? Do you quickly scroll past Ads almost subconsciously and don't even notice the Ad?

Don't forget about old school, grass roots, print advertising. There are no Ad Blockers for papers like Coffee News. 

www.CoffeeNewsPittsburgh.com

or you can find other areas where Coffee News is carried by visiting www.CoffeeNews.com