Many owners of online businesses know that social media can be both beneficial and profitable to their company. But what about brick & mortar businesses? How can they reap the rewards of social media and use many of the readily-available free tools? Here are some simple steps that any brick & mortar business can do to get started in social media:
Develop an online presence. It can be a blog or a website. This will serve as the hub of information for your visitors.
Collect emails. Place an email sign up on your homepage or blog, and ask your walk-in customers to give you their name, email address, and birthday month (optional). Offer something in return, such as a coupon. Collecting emails enables three things: sending a monthly promotion, providing a special discount for their birthday, and sending an e-newsletter (a free way to keep your name out there).
Write articles. Find your own voice and develop content that your readers will find valuable. They'll trust you as an expert, and people buy from those whom they trust.
Create a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is a professional social media site that allows you to connect with your colleagues and your target audience. Join some groups and contribute to conversations. This will position you as an expert in your field and build your credibility within your industry.
Create a Twitter page, gather followers, and tweet about timely special promotions you're offering. People will feel like they are part of an exclusive circle.
By following these simple steps, brick & mortar businesses can easily introduce social media into their marketing plans. With a small investment of time, local businesses can watch their knowledge AND their sales grow. Many of the tools are free or inexpensive, and it's easy to measure ROI.
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