Local Small Business Marketing Incorporates Global Social Media
A study by the University of Maryland shows that businesses are capitalizing on marketing technology. The rate of technology users doubled to 24% from the previous study year. Five hundred companies participated in the December 2009 phone survey studying social network media use in small business marketing.
Companies are primarily using company pages to participate in the leading business social networking sites. Companies also post status updates, post articles, and monitor customer feedback. Other media uses include maintaining a blog, and posting announcements about their areas of expertise. A major challenge for the companies is the time investment for using these marketing strategies. Nearly half of the businesses surveyed expect social media efforts to reap financial rewards within a year or less.
A business should not launch into internet marketing or other marketing activities without preparation. Businesses should remember the basics of marketing apply to any marketing. A social marketing plan with objectives should be integrated into the business marketing plan, or created as a standalone plan. Social marketing objectives should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-sensitive. Instilling a local vision into objectives will ensure business goals have local impact.
Execute market research to find social network sites that will deliver intended objectives. Review how the sites function, and investigate whether they reach your target market. Review a site’s “About Us” page, and consult free online website ranking sites to determine a social marketing site’s match to social marketing objectives.
Consider that each media network may offer different qualities. A social media site whose members merely rate websites, comments or videos might not be a match to your business needs. However, if a site offers localization features such as zip codes, geographic mapping, community creation, or local meetings, these may provide a local hook. Websites that allow businesses to connect with local community members through posting pictures, news, or by using local electronic coupons, may be community magnets.
Promotion is one part of the marketing mix. Promotion involves publicity, public relations, direct sales, and customer relationship management. Social media marketing, a form of internet marketing, can be used as a promotion tool to assist with execution of marketing objectives. Social network marketing has a low monetary cost but can be time-consuming. For small business marketing, the goal is to work smarter not harder. “Economy” is the operative word when it comes to both money and time. Global tools can bring local business.
You can use social networks very effectively when planning small business marketing campaigns. Learn more about some of the methods and programs by visiting the website at http://AutomatedSocialNetworking.com .
