Small changes, big improvements

Every day I observe quite a variety of methods that businesses use to get their message out into the community. Some business do a great job…and others could benefit from sharpening their approach. Here are a few common problems with the way some businesses communicate through social media, and my suggestions for how just a slight change in approach can help a business be more effective at promoting itself within an online community.

Using social media as a megaphone

Go out on a street corner and yell one way messages about your business through a megaphone at people walking by. You’ll probably notice people starting to avoid the corner you are yelling on; the same thing happens in social media.

It’s okay to announce your daily specials on Twitter or Facebook, but that shouldn’t be the only thing you talk about. Interact, ask questions, listen to conversations that your customers and potential customers are having and be a part of the conversation. Don’t be the person on the corner just yelling.

Put a little thought into it

The great thing about social media is anyone can do it. The bad thing about social media is anyone can do it. Why is this good and bad? It’s great because business can use these free platforms to talk about their business and interact with their customers. It’s bad because if you use social media just because you can and don’t think about it, you can actually cause quite a bit of damage to your image.

Think about how you represent yourself when a customer comes through your door…you welcome them, you are polite and you want to help them while leaving a good impression so they will come back and hopefully tell others about what a great experience they had with you and your business. The same should apply with your social media presence. Before you put your 16 year old nephew in charge of your social media presence because he knows how to use Facebook and you don’t, think about whether or not he’s the person you really want greeting your most important customers.

Treat those in the social media community like they are your customers, because well…they are your customers.

Don’t be rude

Really, don’t be rude, don’t get into arguments. You wouldn’t do that in front of a customer in your place of business, so don’t do it online either.