December
Social media sites are a great way to market the heck out of your small business. Not only do they open up channels for you to talk to your customers, but they also give you a wide range of flexible and customized opportunities for your business.
With the holidays almost over, there’s still time to get your last minute inventory out the door before 2011 comes around. Here are some ways to quickly spread your holiday cheer (sales) by using social media:
Advertise your online activities
Make it a habit to let your customers know about your online activities. Place your social media information right where they can see it. For example, place a highly visible banner across your site that offers a 10 percent discount if they follow you on Twitter.
Exclusivity is key
Try to cater to the tech savvy by offering social media sales to those who are in the know. It doesn’t matter if you’re a brick and mortar establishment, offer discounts to your dedicated customers. It will motivate them to buy more from you.
Think about placing coupons on your Facebook and Twitter pages. You’ll be amazed at the feedback you’ll receive.
Creativity is paramount
When you’re working the coupon angle on social media sites, always think beyond the box. Never mail out a coupon advertising only a 10 percent discount. Instead, shake up their reality by doing something out of the ordinary, such as free schwag or cutting prices in half.
Promote your promotions
You should join forces with a non-competing company to work a dual social media campaign. You can promote each other at your physical events or stage special online occasions where customers can talk to you in real time. It doesn’t matter how you go about it, you’ll still bring in more traffic to your site and increase the marketability of your product and/or service.
Work your demographic
The power of Facebook gives you the ability to use highly targeted ads catered to your specific demographic. This is probably the best way to reach out to potential buyers.
Makes your sales feel special
Always give off a sense of exclusivity when you’re trying to entice customers to buy again. It doesn’t matter if you’re offering the same deal to everyone else, always make your customers feel like they’re getting a once-in-a-lifetime chance. That way, customers have implanted a direct neural pathway around this event and more likely to come back by habit.
Support charities
When you work with a non-profit organization, it connects the good thoughts consumers feel about your brand. Let your customers know that for every $50 or more purchase you will donate $5 to a local charity. Try to enlist the help of a non-profit with strong ties within the community so that you’re able to increase the odds of bringing in more potential buyers. Also, add a non-profit banner to your site to heighten awareness.
Blog about lists
Always post new content to your blog or Facebook page listing which products are selling the most this season. Create your own hot list if you want. Let everyone know what’s going on in your industry. Similarly, connect your lists with an emotional goal such as a new year’s resolution – maybe a review list of gifts that’ll help someone break their bad habits.
Always be creating
If you build up a sense of urgency with your demographic, you’re more likely to close deals. Try having a contest and then welcome consumer contributions. You can also work a referral program by specifying that if a new customer buys, the person who referred them receives a free gift card.
