All types of businesses can benefit from at least one form of social media. Social media is increasingly considered the rule, not the exception, and customers may express surprise that a business does not have, in the very least, a Facebook page. This expectation is not unfounded: more and more businesses are increasing their sales and leads with social media accounts, especially those on Twitter and Facebook. If your business is hoping to take advantage of the huge network possibilities of a social media account, then you will need to know what the best practices for using social media in the business world are. The following are the top three social media business tips that will help you make your presence known on social media, use it to your full advantage, and increase your customer base and even your overall sales revenue.
Tip #1: While social media provides a platform for self-promotion, don’t make it all about self-promotion.
You should ensure that your social media page is about more than promoting your business. Leave your page open for discussion and ask your customers questions, like posting surveys about their favorite items or asking them what their weekend plans are. Little details like these can make your page seem less like an advertisement and more like a pleasant conversation.
Tip #2: Limit yourself to the most useful or well-known social media accounts.
Social media is a fluid concept and there are many new social media-style sites being created every day. However, you don’t want your marketing base feeling overwhelmed by your dozen or so social media accounts. Limit yourself to pages like Facebook, Twitter or Youtube, which are well established.
Tip #3: Train your employees to deal with the public using social media.
One of the biggest gaffes a business using social media can make is letting someone unfamiliar with social media—and social media etiquette—run their accounts. Make sure that any employees with access to your page are well versed in customer service, social media etiquette and internet etiquette. You don’t want your business to get a bad reputation because an employee was snippy on your business’ Facebook page! A little bit of etiquette training will go a long way.
In conclusion, social media for business is an excellent way to promote a network between your customers and your business. If you utilize the best practices for social media, you will soon see improved leads, improved sales and better promotion for your business.