This weeks Social Media workshop, Drive Business Profits With Social Media was great fun.
I met some wonderful small business owners looking to take their business to the next level with social media.
We’re sorry that you missed it, but we will be releasing a webinar and workbook online in the next few weeks.
A common thread
I notice in my classes is that many business owners don’t have an outline for their social media campaign, nor are they able to answer some basic marketing questions about their business in a clear, concise manner.
Yet, they have already signed up for Facebook and Twitter, and don’t understand why it isn’t working for them.
You must know who you are and where you want to go before you leap into social media. You have to know how to describe your business in one sentence and tell your “hook”. A “hook” is an exciting or interesting back story or statistic that gets your potential customer engaged. Creating a concise elevator pitch is essential – especially online – where people are distracted and don’t have much time.
One example: Forward Motion Studios moves business forward through effective marketing and internet solutions. Besides, we’re fun.
There are some basic questions every small business owner should be able to answer before jumping into social media. I’ve decided to list a few of them here to help you out -
1. Who exactly is your customer? Can you describe them in detail?
For example, our customer is the medium to large business (4-100 employees), who outsource their marketing and web design. They are based in the United States, understand networking, handle themselves professionally and are enjoyable to work for – with a slant towards crazy fun. The CEO or business owner is experienced and open to suggestions. They are not afraid of technology – but they are not interested in being on the bleeding edge. Their age is 28 – 56.
2. What problem does your business solve?
An example for us, Forward Motion Studios steps in when companies need marketing support from brand – to print – to web with social media training thrown in because we think they need it. And we are just so helpful sometimes!
3. What benefits do you bring to your customer?
For example, Forward Motion Studios offers a wide variety of services that encompass the various aspects of marketing both online and off at a fair price with a distinctively personal touch. Every business is unique to us. What about you?
4. What promise can you make to your customers?
We don’t make false promises. What’s yours?
5. What are you trying to accomplish with social media?
_____ Build brand image
_____ Educate about products
_____ Create better search visibility
_____ Promote positive reviews of products, services or company
_____ Sell products
This is the other problem I see – business owners who can’t tell me what they hope to gain from using social media. If you don’t know what you want, how do you expect to get it?
A clear and compelling understanding of who you are as a business, who your customers are and where they hang out is essential to your online marketing efforts. Narrow your position by focusing on one thing for your social media efforts – one message. Just one, you say?
Yes.
Your business may do many things, but should be recognized for being better than your competition at one thing. Get people talking about that one thing online, and you will win at your social media efforts.
Our continued success to you,
