07-05-2012, 09:25 PM
That's a really good point you make Shorty. It is one that I have spent some time contemplating.
Can Social Media (ie: Facebook) & Networking Sites (ie: LinkedIn) be effective in Marketing your business? I think the answer is a resounding Yes.
BUT
that depends on many many things. And if the majority of answers don't stack up against the questions that you need to ask yourself about your business and how you fit into their (Facebook etc etc) business model to achieve your marketing goals then the answer is probably a resounding No.
The ones I can think of immediately are:
1. What type of business are you in? Obviously for us Carpet Cleaning. Could we benefit from Facebook? Yes. But the question is how? That's a big issue in itself. Is a before/After shot going to excite people? Once or twice maybe but after that you better come up with something else? What that is?is up to you! That's the beauty of owning your own business. I believe we need to create our company image in line with our personality (to a degree). A better term might be your "Professional Personality". In your case, you are a guy with a great sense of humour and that is a big part of your personality. You are already using it with your business name "Get Shorty" it shows a sense of humor. Thats the direction you could take it. What the content is? Would be the next question.
2. Is it an area specific local business? or does it have a service or product that it can sell nationally and/or internationally? Or are you a national brand? Ie: franchises
3. Do I really have the time or the drive to consistently post content on my pages? If you spend a lot of time creating Likes on your Facebook Page they are of no use unless you post consistent, relevant and interesting content to the audience you spent so much time creating.
A thing to remember is, if you get it right. The results can be exponential. Because if people press "like" on your content their whole friend base sees it and that friend base then get the opportunity to "Like" it and then their friend base and their friend base and so on. This could be millions of people if the content is good enough. And all it took was coming up with something people liked. That's where the real art is. That is the challenge.
But I hear you say "those people are no good to me as they are spread around the world" Very True (to a degree) Facebook is about critical mass and within that critical mass are a few people that either live in your area, have family that live in your area, own an investment property or business in your area and the list goes on. Yes you are hitting the masses to get to the few. As you would know a lot of marketing works that way. Also get as many local people ie: friends, family & existing business contacts to "Like" your page this will give you immediate local contacts that are likely to create more locals.
4. Is it a lot of work if done properly? Yes? And probably a lot of work if not done properly as well.
5. Does it suit everyone? No.
6. Are there results to be had & can you have some fun with it? Yes
7. The final question is can I be bothered?
My observation is that there are people who use it in a genuine manner, there are spammers and there are those who do it because of ego, where the number of people they have as friends or the number of "Likes" on their Facebook business page determines how popular they are. This is deluded in my mind but hey "whatever floats ya boat."
I have mainly focussed on Facebook and I'm sorry for the length of this post but that's my $0.50 worth.
LinkedIn is somewhat similar but with a different interface & business model.
Hope you didn't just want a yes or no answer. LOL
Can Social Media (ie: Facebook) & Networking Sites (ie: LinkedIn) be effective in Marketing your business? I think the answer is a resounding Yes.
BUT
that depends on many many things. And if the majority of answers don't stack up against the questions that you need to ask yourself about your business and how you fit into their (Facebook etc etc) business model to achieve your marketing goals then the answer is probably a resounding No.
The ones I can think of immediately are:
1. What type of business are you in? Obviously for us Carpet Cleaning. Could we benefit from Facebook? Yes. But the question is how? That's a big issue in itself. Is a before/After shot going to excite people? Once or twice maybe but after that you better come up with something else? What that is?is up to you! That's the beauty of owning your own business. I believe we need to create our company image in line with our personality (to a degree). A better term might be your "Professional Personality". In your case, you are a guy with a great sense of humour and that is a big part of your personality. You are already using it with your business name "Get Shorty" it shows a sense of humor. Thats the direction you could take it. What the content is? Would be the next question.
2. Is it an area specific local business? or does it have a service or product that it can sell nationally and/or internationally? Or are you a national brand? Ie: franchises
3. Do I really have the time or the drive to consistently post content on my pages? If you spend a lot of time creating Likes on your Facebook Page they are of no use unless you post consistent, relevant and interesting content to the audience you spent so much time creating.
A thing to remember is, if you get it right. The results can be exponential. Because if people press "like" on your content their whole friend base sees it and that friend base then get the opportunity to "Like" it and then their friend base and their friend base and so on. This could be millions of people if the content is good enough. And all it took was coming up with something people liked. That's where the real art is. That is the challenge.
But I hear you say "those people are no good to me as they are spread around the world" Very True (to a degree) Facebook is about critical mass and within that critical mass are a few people that either live in your area, have family that live in your area, own an investment property or business in your area and the list goes on. Yes you are hitting the masses to get to the few. As you would know a lot of marketing works that way. Also get as many local people ie: friends, family & existing business contacts to "Like" your page this will give you immediate local contacts that are likely to create more locals.
4. Is it a lot of work if done properly? Yes? And probably a lot of work if not done properly as well.
5. Does it suit everyone? No.
6. Are there results to be had & can you have some fun with it? Yes
7. The final question is can I be bothered?
My observation is that there are people who use it in a genuine manner, there are spammers and there are those who do it because of ego, where the number of people they have as friends or the number of "Likes" on their Facebook business page determines how popular they are. This is deluded in my mind but hey "whatever floats ya boat."
I have mainly focussed on Facebook and I'm sorry for the length of this post but that's my $0.50 worth.
LinkedIn is somewhat similar but with a different interface & business model.
Hope you didn't just want a yes or no answer. LOL