Social Media Marketing is easy.
As a small business owner, you may not be aware that you probably already know a lot about Social Marketing. You just haven’t been doing it online until now. Successful Social Marketing is all about being a good neighbor, being helpful and interacting. It’s not about direct selling. Most small businesses are already good at adding that “personal touch” and it’s one of the things that often makes them successful. Social Media is more about creating that “personal touch” than it is about the tactics.

Social Media Marketing is very inexpensive.
Because there is no cost for most of the media that is used in Social Media Marketing, people think of it as free. There are a bunch of costs to keep in mind and keep track of. Most importantly is the time it takes to maintain your online presence. It is far more involved than it looks and the hours add up quickly. The cost is more obvious if you are paying an employee to create content such as articles, images, videos etc., but even if you do it yourself, you still need to consider the time it takes as an expense. There is also the cost of setting up and maintaining your website and/or blog — an important component in Social Media Marketing. While SMM is still the most inexpensive type of marketing media I know, just remember, it’s not really free.

Social Media Marketing is very accessible.
If you have an internet connection, you already have the most important part. Unlike traditional media, Social Media transcends geography, economics and industry. It’s one of the simplest ways to identify a niche and find out who’s talking about your subject.

Let’s say you manufacture a certain material for use in the dental industry. You can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to travel around the world to participate in industry trade shows, so you could listen to and connect with people that by your product. Or, for the cost of your time, you could find where they have interests online and become part of their conversation. Just as you would if you were at a reception at the trade show itself.

Social Media Marketing lets you listen in.
If you have ever overheard a conversation between two customers when they talk about your category or product, then you know how valuable hearing a candid conversation like that can be. Understanding what your audience thinks and what is important to them lets you react effectively and in a timely manner.

Information gathered can include anything from how customers feel about your brand — or a weakness they see in your competitors. You could learn what they feel is lacking in the category or maybe discover a need you didn’t know existed.

Social Media Integrates well with other online and traditional advertising.
Social Media is as much a learning opportunity as it is a marketing vehicle. When integrated with traditional marketing in an comprehensive marketing plan, it can provide a wealth of information and research, immediate feedback, and additional support to drive traffic. On the other side, traditional advertising can help to drive traffic to an online location where you can create an ongoing and authentic interaction that leads to a committed and loyal customer.

So tell me what you think?

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