Should I be on social media? That’s the question I get asked most from my small business clients. Every marketer or social media consultant I know would give the same answer – Yes!

So now that most small business owners know that having a social media presence is a must, there are still some who question its validity, especially on the small island of Barbados where I’m based. The reasons however, are globally oriented.

So… Why Should My Small Business Be on Social Media?

• Firstly, signing up to most of the prominent sites is FREE! Yup, it’s the most cost effective strategy out there for those entrepreneurs with little to no budget.
•  Secondly, it can allow you to reach people you wouldn’t normally reach through traditional marketing means. As of June 2014, Facebook itself boasts 1.32 billion active users. Yes, billion. That is nothing to sneeze at.
• Thirdly, it provides social proof. But what is social proof? Wikipedia defines social proof as a “psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behavior for a given situation.” What it means, is that we as humans are influenced my the direction society takes. If everyone likes a certain product, we are more likely to like that product as well. This is known as positive social proof. Social proof can also work in reverse and that could mean death for your brand. So let’s keep it positive, shall we.

But where should I start?

Before I advise my clients on where to start their foray into social media, there is one clear question that must be answered – Who is your audience? Why is this question important? The answer will determine what platforms will be best suited to them and who they are intending to reach. I often advise that they start with at least three platforms – Facebook being the primary one and the other two specifically tailored to their audience.

This all sounds fine and dandy but how do I get this done?

If you can afford it, your best option would be to hire a social media consultant to get the ball rolling. Social media can be time consuming and having someone dedicated to executing your social strategy could leave you free to focus on other business objectives.  If however you can’t afford it, you should still seek out professional advice to help get you started.

Until next time, let’s give them something to talk about.

XO,
-Marisse-

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