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I work with many first-time small business owners, creating and maintaining their social media presence on the world stage.
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Many feel intimated by being online, sharing themselves, and promoting their small business. I am here to tell you we’ve all been there. The best way to look at being online for your business is not to advertise your business. You are there to be of service to others. You are there to share your experience and expertise and discover what others want or need. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you begin:
Questions to ask yourself:
What are people looking for when coming to my social media page?
- Some answers could be feel-good or funny images, tips, articles on a particular topic, or political discussion/ideas. Ultimately, people seek an honest and trustworthy resource to relate to.
What are people missing in their lives that would make them visit my social media page?
- Some answers could be a Lack of family nearby, missing the connection with friends, happiness, and a place to voice their opinions and share ideas.
When are the most likely times people will visit my page and how frequently should I post?
- Some answers could be once or twice daily, during working hours, or late evening.
Why Should I Be On Social Media?
If you still feel intimidated and wonder what the benefits are, here are my 5 favorite inspirational quotes.
“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we DO it.” ~ Erik Qualman
“Social media is more about sociology and psychology than it is about technology.” ~ Brian Solis
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Additional Social Media Quotes
Below are some additional posts that hopefully motivate you to making social media a priority for your business.
Social media is reducing social barriers. It connects people on the strength of human values, not identities. ~ Narendra Modi
The great thing about social media was how it gave a voice to voiceless people. ~ Jon Ronson
Social media allows us to engage, interact, and build relationships with our audience in ways that were never possible. ~ Neil Patel.
Social media marketing is about creating a community and building lasting relationships with your audience. ~ Amy Porterfield
A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is – it is what consumers tell each other it is. ~ Scott Cook, Co-Founder of Intuit
Great quotes, right? As you engage with others, be sure you have a clear idea of what you want to share. Making a list of topics is a great place to start. Remember that figuring out what your viewers want will take time, so patience is important in the process.
Stats on why you need to be involved in social media
If you need even more convincing, here are 4 social media stats that will give you an extra push to get your business page set up on social media sites. Click to read more about other stats.
- 56% of Americans have a profile on a social networking site
- 71% of online adults use Facebook
- Those 65 and older has increased their usage by more than third since 2010 when 11% used social media.
- Of course, young adults are most likely to use social media these days.
When you start sharing on your page, you will receive your own business’ stats, and after a month or so, you can determine where to go. A social media presence will help you get your name out there with very little money.
If you are still not quite ready to take the plunge, know that your competitors are there sharing with your prospective clients (Affiliate Link). I hope this helps you take the next step in getting involved with social media. If you need help, feel free to view my social media page or engage with me about my services.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Love the tips and the stats. Lots of good info to remind us that chatter is happening whether we participate or not. I love the interaction social media offers up!!
This is great and as I read it I was thinking of all of the questions that I was asked when I was teaching social media to 20 realtors today… great stuff! Thank you for sharing.
Sounds like you had fun today, Kristen. Thank you for commenting.
Great information and I love the quotes. I did a workshop on Networking for Women today and we touched on some of these points. You may not like social media, but as you point out, there are tons of people there. And if your ideal client is there, you need to be, too. Otherwise you’ll be left out — because as you say, your competitors are there.
I totally agree, Jackie. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
“Social media is the ultimate equalizer. It gives a voice and a platform to anyone willing to engage.” ~ Amy Jo Martin – is the one I like the best. I love that social media can be used by everyone. Even if a person has no computer or device, there is always the public library!
Good point, Beth!
Very inspirational thoughts. I must say this is a good share. Keep sharing. Thanks for this
Reading this made me think of Seth Godin, as most of these quotes are very related to the message he has been sharing for a very long time. No, we cannot afford not to be on social media and yet the online space continues to get noisier and noisier. How do we stand out and how do we attract and then build a loyal tribe? Yes, often it is what other people say about you that has the biggest impact of all. I liked the Scott Cook quote as well, as that really says it all. It doesn’t matter so much what we say, but what others are saying. Thanks for the insights, Sabrina and the set of questions to help us get clear on our intentions.
Seth Godin is one of my favorite people. Thanks for commenting, Beverley. I really appreciate it.
Sabrina – somehow, I incurred an error when I tried to post, so if this somehow becomes a duplicate, I apologize. Anyway, I agreed with every word of this article – it really is the nuts and bolts of social media. Now – for me to just implement it more – I’ve been so lax, lately!! My venture is promoting my recently self-published book, Sweet Dreams. For the social media leg of the venture, I want to promote understanding of health issues for both the general public and nurses. For instance, I would like to become the “go to” person others seek when they have questions about the Zika virus or the e-bola virus or just need a good laugh in their day. I want to be the social media “common-sense friend” for people. And your article is right – social media is the great equalizer. If I’d just get busy, I think I could grow a much-needed platform.
This quote gave me a moment to ponder – “A brand is not what we tell the customer it is. It is what customers tell each other it is.” ~ Scott Cook. A couple of years ago I came across an info-graphic that outlined the demographics in detail on each of the social media sites . I have since lost it. But the point was the valuable use in regards to where you target market hangs out.
Scott Cook’s quote resonates with me also. It does make you think. Thanks for commenting.
Sabrina, I love the Scott Cook quote best about a brand being what customers tell other customers it is. Also, surprised to learn that 71% of online adults are on Facebook. Young people have much to fear when adults invade their world and take it over.
Thanks for commenting, Joyce! Lucky for me, I was on Facebook before my daughter. Instagram is another story. She told me not to tag her when I am on Instagram. lol
Thanks for commenting, Joyce! Lucky for me, I was on Facebook before my daughter. Instagram is another story. She told me not to tag her when I am on Instagram. lol
I do agree that being on social media is extremely important and that we are on there to serve our ideal clients so that we can be known. The struggle is keeping up with all of it! Maybe there is a way to leverage this better that I don’t know about yet. But I do know I spend a great deal of time on social media and I’m not even leveraging it the way I should be; constant battle!
Good point, Lisa. It’s important to have a strategy so we are not working harder but smarter. Thanks for commenting.
These are great quotes/tips, Sabrina. They help crystalize for me what I’m hoping to accomplish on social media, and how to do it. I especially love the Brian Solis quote: ““Social media is more about sociology and psychology than it is about technology.”
All of these help me frame what I’m doing! Thank You.
Thanks for commenting, Susan Mary. It’s one of my favorite quotes.
It is hard to figure this out when you first get going & your questions are great guides. It takes a while to start building a page & in the process you learn, see what works or doesn’t. This quote;“Social media is more about sociology and psychology than it is about technology.” ~ Brian Solis, resonated with me as they were my 2 fav subjects & an MA in 1 & I’m very social. Its so great that I not only love making my product but learned about social media to market it.
Thanks for commenting, Roslyn! I really appreciate it.