Every business is different, so of course entrepreneurs should always do what they feel is best for their company. That being said, social media is becoming an increasingly popular marketing strategy for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Don’t ignore social sharing platforms when it comes to your business plan or you may find yourself struggling to make ends meet.
Many digital networks can benefit a startup, but it is wise to pick one or two and focus your time and energy building a community. Once you’ve got the hang of these sites, you can begin incorporating other forms of social media. Instagram and Pinterest, for example, have recently become important platforms for brand marketing because they offer companies a chance to advertise a product and generate a following. As useful as they are for brand exposure. However, these two platforms tend to take a backseat to Linkedin and Google+ for marketing professional services.
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The three social networks every start-up should quickly become familiar with are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
LinkedIn is often considered the most professional of the social networks. It allows you to connect with others in your field and offers you the chance to list your business by location and industry mainly serving as a virtual Yellow Pages. A LinkedIn page is usually the first profile an entrepreneur will set up. A profile on this site adds an element of legitimacy to your business, makes the company easier to find online, and requires little upkeep. While Facebook requires regular status updates and fresh content, LinkedIn pretty much serves its primary function as soon as the account is created.
Use Facebook to create a page for your business. Include the company logo in the space for the profile picture and design a relevant, catchy cover photo that showcases your business in an appropriate manner. Include any pertinent contact details such as phone number, customer service email address, and physical location, as well as a brief description of your services in the About section. Setting up a page for your business on Facebook makes you more searchable in Google and adds credibility to your company.
Though Twitter is perhaps the least urgent of the social networking sites to launch for your business, it can be a valuable tool for sharing information and staying relevant within your industry. Twitter allows you to follow the news at a lightening-fast pace and gives you the opportunity to share valuable insights and communicate with existing and potential customers. Additionally, obtaining a company Twitter handle gives you another forum to share blog posts, articles, and press releases that link back to your main website. This increases traffic and improves your Google ranking. Though Twitter shouldn’t be your priority, it isn’t a bad idea to eventually embrace it for business.
Savvy entrepreneurs recognize the value of social media when it comes to promoting their business. Remember; don’t try to do too much too soon. Take advantage of the unique functionalities of the different platforms to effectively market your product and grow your brand in a cost-effective manner.
