RETAIL INDUSTRY
What can Social Media do for my store(s)? | How do I use Social Media?
Where should I start? | Reality Check
Can I get help, is there a turnkey solution? | Let's get started!
WHAT EXPERTS IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY ARE SAYING ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA:
From the Small Business Administration: “…given the constraint of small businesses' resources [like] time and money… develop a good company Web site and use social media marketing techniques to generate traffic to the Web site. “
From the National Retail Foundation…”consumers want a personalized experience with social media. Survey results showed that shoppers are more likely to do business with a retailer who recognizes them as individuals through social media and incorporates their unique preferences.”
WHAT CAN SOCIAL MEDIA DO FOR MY STORE?
Social Media can increase your reach and depth exponentially. It is a powerful way to connect with and influence people.
Your customers expect to find you online.
You advertise, you offer specials through the mail or direct marketing. Now, Social media has now become an expected part of the communications mix. Plus, it allows you to build relationships that traditional forms of marketing communications does not.
Customers are using social media to get information, to share their opinions and more importantly, to find recommendations.
Customers, potential customers, employees and potential employees are looking for you in all the right online places.
Social media can help with…
- Recruiting - both future employees and customers
- Branding - represent your brand anywhere you can
- Call to action - post offers to your fan base
- Build Awareness - remind them of your store, your products
- Internal Market Research - post questions and see what your fan base thinks
- Networking - people like to shop with people they know (or first hand referrals)
- Most important of all – social media allows you to listen. You may be surprised at what you learn.
Like all relationship activities, Social Media takes a long term commitment and an understanding of the game.
The Social Media formula is:
- Content creates Conversations creates Relationships
Some of the ways in which agents can use Social Media:
- Educate customers and potential customers
- Offer specials, discounts and packages. You can do it at a set time every day and train your customers to check your website every day.
- Give your clients a voice and a place to connect with others. Allow your followers to post comments, tips, ideas, even criticism.
- Provide instant answers to questions
- Generate awareness, recommendations and referrals through the conversations of your community
- Give potential customers an open window into your personality, who you are, what you stand for, what sets you apart
- Conduct research with online surveys and use it to make changes to your products or customer service or selling strategy
- Feature customers’ stories and testimonials on your social media sites. Feature their businesses.
- Publicize worthwhile events in the community.
- Don’t sell. You earn the right to sell by providing content.
Social Media is all about CONTENT that is valuable and relevant to your target audience (which you want to turn into a community).