Using Social Networks

Hello World. My last blog I wrote that I wanted to compare and contrast the success from my newsletter to my Facebook idea. I ended up not making a newsletter, but I did send out an e-mail. I simply sent out an e-mail to those who asked, letting them know that I received new rings. After discovering that Facebook could be used as a tool for my small business, it became very apparent that my customers preferred that we communicate through Facebook instead of e-mailing back and forth. A few mentioned that they are constantly on Facebook and it would just be more convenient for them if I wrote on their wall or messaged them, rather than e-mail.

Facebook has actually helped me a lot. Previously customers were texting me orders or asking questions, which is fine, but my current phone doesn’t have a lot of inbox space. I was losing orders due to the fact that my cell doesn’t show any new messages unless there is enough space for them to be accepted. Basically, I have to delete messages to get messages. Some times I would erase new messages because I thought they were old messages or not see new messages until days later. How this affected me and my business is that I wouldn’t know that customers ordered anything or I would find out too late. If a customer orders a friendship bracelet I try to finish it and get it to them within a couple of days. It is important to me that they know I’m trying hard to make the things they order in a timely fashion. Erasing orders and finding them too late was not helping me to stay organized or satisfy my customers. Facebook has helped to reduce this problem majorly.

Although, Facebook has helped in this aspect it hasn’t completely solved my problems. Most of my customers are ones that I see in my classes, activities, soccer practices, etc. They are the ones I see constantly. They still rather tell me their orders in person rather than e-mail or message me on Facebook. I would have to say that the number one way that my customers like to order or ask me something is in person, then on Facebook, and lastly via e-mail.

Since I am using a social network as a tool for my business I thought it would be good to share some of what I learned. For my last bulletin board I went on clickz.com and read an article on social networks because from other articles I read they suggested that when a business becomes established they should invest in social media marketing. The article I read for my bulletin board I was Social Marketing by Tessa Wegert. I don’t really want to recap anything that I wrote about in my bulletin board, but I would like to share some of the numbers and percentages that she offered because I think they will convince any business that social marketing is becoming an essential part of successful businesses.

The first number I would like to throw out is that 66% of marketers worldwide are expecting to invest in social networks this year. Also, a poll that was taken showed 51% of Facebook and 67% of twitter users said that, “they are more likely to buy from brands they “friend” or “follow” and 60% on facebook and 79% twitter users said that they are “ more likely to recommend those brands to others.” As a potential business owner this shows me how social networks are directly affecting sales. I would like to share the amount of time that Facebook users spend on their site because according to a site called Nielsen Wire, the time spent on Facebook has increased by 82% this year. This is basically saying that users spend an unimaginable 5.5 hours on Facebook each day. Isn’t that CRAZY?

Another tip that I read just while breezing through clickz.com, reading up on other articles related to social media marketing, is that social media marketing is not something you do half way. In order for social media marketing to really make a difference, businesses need to really incorporate it. Just like it was recommended for newsletter businesses need to make sure that just as much time and effort is put into it. It’s not something businesses can take a break from.

When I finally open my own shop I believe that social media marketing will be just as essential as it is now. Maybe even more so, I can’t say for sure. The one thing I do know is that the amount of time spent on Facebook is a good indication of where potential customers can be found. With people spending that much time on Facebook I really think it’s important for businesses to be where their customers are. I believe that social marketing will work for businesses if done properly and the right amount of time, effort, and money is invested. I know I will invest in social media marketing when I get my business started.

Lastly, I just want to mention that when I do open my own shop I will make sure to separate my personal social networks from my business social networks. From what I’ve read and seen in the past I really don’t think my personal Facebook and business Facebook should be one and the same. It’s not professional. I’m only doing it because my business is smaller than small and combining the two doesn’t create any problems for me or my customers. I just thought I’d add that, so my readers aren’t confused.

For my next blog I’m hoping to get an interview with the owner of UNIKAT. Her name is Ms. Andrea Gottschalk and she specializes in fine jewelry and repairs and her store is located in the Plaza. I’m really excited for this interview and I hope to get a lot of good information about advertising for small businesses.
Thank you World for reading my blog. Peace and Love