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It's no secret that social media networks are a great way to build an online following as well as broaden the reach of your creative business' brand and image. However, in order to truly optimize social media trends, strengths and benefits, it's important to remember that success isn't solely measured by the number of followers and/or retweets your business has. To truly tap into the unbridle promotional prowess that leading social media networks deliver, savvy arts and crafts entrepreneurs recognize that they must also use these powerful tools to be their "business ears" and hear what the consuming public at large has to say about their operations.
Benefits Of Social Media Networks To Validate Consumer Opinion
If you're not currently using the omnipotent social media networks to get a pulse on your targeted demographic, you're missing a major business opportunity. Companies that effectively check in on their online trending have instant access to:
Positive Feedback: Every business can benefit from "hearing" their praises being sung on various social media networks. Understanding what customers love about your company is the best way to ensure that you continue doing it…and that your clients will continue to tell their online networks about it!
Not So Positive Feedback: Due to the global reach of social media networks, business owners in every industry quickly learn that "bad press" does actually exist. An angry consumer can quickly reach hundreds, if not thousands, with unkind words about your creative business and potentially damage your corporate brand. While some of the feedback may sting a bit, understanding some of the not-so-great comments is a great way to modify your operations/product for a more favorable response.
Proactive Management Tactics: Most importantly, "listening" to your consumers on social media networks is the ultimate exercise in proactive management. Leveraging these sites gives you ample opportunity to recognize a potential issue before it becomes unwieldy. Once identified, you'll also be able to instantly address the situation and respond as needed to your online public audience. Quickly resolving the matter is the best way to put (and keep!) a positive online spin on your creative business!
Need Help "Hearing" Your Clients?
Lucky for you, we are great online listeners! Let us help you get in touch with what your clients are saying about your business. Contact us today or, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about our online marketing approach.
At the moment, I'm trying to figure out if there is a good 'social marketing mix' for certain businesses or brands. For instance, if it were the craft industry big ones like Facebook and Pinterest seem to be worthwhile, but our time is so finite. Should we be figuring out 3 optimum channels and just focus on them? Or should we attempt to cast a wider net, placing a small amount of effort into the many and varied social networks out there?
The real question is how do you know which outlets you have to be on and which outlets you don’t have to worry about. Right now there’s Facebook, Twittwer, Pinterest, and Google plus it’s impossible for one person to be in all of those places and still run a business.
Hi Beth. I appreciate you taking the time to comment! I completely understand your point, but I am here to tell you that it CAN be done. With the right management tools and a strategy in place, managing multiple platforms do not have to eat up all of your time. After all…our job is art, not social media. One great tool that saves a TON of time is HootSuite. I will be hosting a free webinar for HootSuite beginners early next month. Email me if you’d like the link.