What To Do When You Think Social Media Isn't Working for Your Business
It can be difficult to judge whether the hard work and time you invest in social media is working or not. For a small business owner, with limited time and resources, it may be difficult to keep your eye on the big picture when it comes to social media. Small business owners tell me all the time, "I've been posting consistently for weeks but I feel like I'm not seeing any ROI." Before you give up on social media, here are 4 things you need to keep in mind.
Social media is not like traditional advertising
Many small business owners get jammed up with social media because they consider it a form of advertising for their business. Social media is not meant to function like traditional advertising. Before you can be successful on social media you have to shift your thinking and understand what social media is meant to do. There are many things social media can do for a small business including:
- Create awareness
- Provide a customer service platform
- Improve SEO
- Drive website traffic
- And one of the most important....
Social media can help you create relationships
Consistently posting to social media can help your business create relationships with clients, potential clients and potential business partners. When it comes to clients and potential clients, social media can be a means of establishing trust and credibility. When it comes to potential business partners, there are many opportunities to find and connect with other like minded individuals that may be able to open some doors for you and your business.
You're consistently getting in front of your audience
It is important to remember that unlike traditional advertising, social media gives you the opportunity to consistently drip content on your fans and followers. This can help keep you top of mind. While they may not be ready to buy your product or service right at the moment, through social media you can consistently keep your company in front them until they have decided they need you. With traditional advertising this could be difficult and expensive!
It takes a long time to see results...we're talking years!
It can take years to see success with social media. It's a process. You need to create brand awareness, establish trust, establish yourself as an expert and remain consistent. Then you need to set goals and develop a strategy to achieve them. Social media is not going to be an overnight success for most companies. You've got to stick with it and stay consistent. In time you'll see social media success!
