Feb 20, 2015

How Small Businesses Can Nail Social MarketingBy Jason RichelsonStreetFightMag.com

For many independent business owners, embarking on a full-blown social media program can seem like a daunting journey into unknown territory. Thankfully, the payoff is worth the effort. When done right, there’s massive potential for SMBs to directly connect and communicate with targeted, local audiences.

In fact, recent research has shown that 91% of small business owners rely on social media as a means of driving increased sales. So what’s the secret? Where do you start, and what are some of the most important things to keep in mind as you look to boost your bottom line?

Build a Community

Creating an active and engaged online following is key in strengthening relationships with existing customers, while still attracting new ones. The good news is that SMBs actually have an advantage here — they know their local audience better than anyone. Leverage this knowledge and familiarity to make your social presence a natural extension of your physical community. Engage with those who may have already shown an interest in your brand and use your social media channels to offer them something of value.

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