By Gail Z. Martin
For those who are planning to start their own business it is important that you develop a social media plan to promote your new business. NEJS asked Gail to provide some insight to common questions about social media practices.
My business is totally local. Why do I need to be on social media?
Your friends, neighbors and customers use social media to get information. For example, a local restaurant can post its blue plate special of the day or its soup du jour. An ice cream parlor can post its daily flavor. You can post photos from your recent events, special discounts only available on social media for your customers, and celebrate local heroes. If you do a community fundraiser, you can ask for donations, keep your friends/followers apprised of the progress, give results reports and even share photos and video. If you support a local project like a kids’ sports team, you can share photos and brag on the team’s progress. Social media also gives your customers a way to communicate with you. Ask questions, take surveys, run polls and get feedback. Social media can be as local as you are!
I run a non-profit. Is social media important for charitable organizations?
Absolutely. According to a recent study, 86% of nonprofits are using social media, and 30% of fund-raising is happening on either social media (22%) or text messaging (8%). Social media enables you to keep your donors, volunteers, clients and community informed both of your needs and your progress. You can educate, celebrate results, share requests, and build relationships. Nonprofits are using social media to mobilize volunteers for last-minute projects, ask for donations of time, products or cash, and get community feedback.
How can I get more value out of the time I put into writing my blog posts and tweets?
Use the RSS widget/application to allow your blog posts and tweets to automatically appear on your web site, Facebook and LinkedIn pages and other social media sites. That way, you post information once and it can show up in three or four places without any additional effort on your part. You can also break articles up into shorter blog posts, and shorten blog posts into tweets.
About Gail Z. Martin
Gail owns DreamSpinner Communications and helps companies and solo professionals in the U.S. and Canada improve their marketing results in 30 days. Gail has an MBA in marketing and over 20 years of corporate and non-profit experience at senior executive levels. Gail hosts the Shared Dreams Marketing Podcast. She’s the author of The Thrifty Author’s Guide to Launching Your Book and 30 Days to Social Media Success. Find her online at www.GailMartinMarketing.com, on Twitter @GailMartinPR and check out her Facebook page at 30 Day Results Guide.
NEJS encourages you to start a dialogue with Gail by submitting your questions via the comments section at the end of the blog article. Keep an eye out for more Q & A with Gail.
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