Social Media Strategy: 5 Surefire Ways to Market Your Small Business Online

A guest post by Rianne Hunter















Tweeting and tumbling and 'tubing, oh my! Social media has officially taken the world by storm. So, if you're serious about keeping your business afloat in the 21st century, you'd better make sure you know how to play the social networking game. Here is a countdown of some top tips for marketing your products and/or services in a highly-connected virtual world.

5: Stay Hip With The Latest Trends

You don't have to be the middle-aged dad trying to twerk, but you should keep an eye on fads and utilize them when it's appropriate for your brand. For example, many companies filmed their own "Gangnam Style" videos while the original was racking up billions of views. That kind of creativity and spontaneity will endear you to some broad swaths of consumers and could make you a talking point around the water cooler.

4: Take Advantage of Site-Specific Advertising

Twitter offers promoted tweets and interest targeting; Facebook runs a full gamut of sponsored stories, promoted posts and custom audiences. These are the kinds of social media opportunities that may or may not be cost-effective, but you ought to research them, nonetheless. Customize your marketing approach for each social platform instead of running identical ads across all social media outlets.

3: Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Help

If you're starting a blog and your layout is stuck somewhere in 1996, it's okay to outsource the job to a professional graphic designer. Similarly, if you're not sure how you should be advertising your brand in social media, you can always follow the example of best internet marketing company you can find. Look for someone whose style or system you admire, then reach out and ask for tips.

2: Offer Subscriptions and Special User Groups

With thousands of posts a day, it's easy for your content to get lost in a sea of status updates and time line dramas. One way to ensure that you don't drown is by offering your customers access to special subscriptions, mailing lists and RSS feeds where they'll be connected to your business 24/7.

1: Engage, Engage, Engage

A strong online presence is directly proportional to how much time you spend enraging your customers. Don't just use social media for announcements and press releases; instead, reach out to your customers and open a dialogue so they'll feel valued and appreciated. Thank them for shopping with you or pointing out an issue that you've since resolved. Draw attention to special deals if someone mentions Christmas shopping. Don't be afraid to throw a little humor out there. You're a small business, so you can afford a personal touch.

At the end of the day, social media is a tool just like anything else. It won't make or break your business on its own, but it can definitely turn the tide if you're struggling to distinguish yourself from other brands. Stay positive, keep posting and and good luck!