You’re a small business. You work hard, but you don’t have thousands to invest in a multiamedia, cross-channel campaign to buff up your social media standing. You need practical advice you can easily translate into more “likes” on Facebook, more followers on Twitter. Here are a few tips for your to get the lead out–without breaking the bank.

1. Share useful articles, videos, and links to resources that can directly benefit your customer.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or for fresh ideas—it keeps your fan base interested and interactive.

3. Post at least once a week. Activity keeps you relevant in the mighty eyes of Google.

4. List ways to connect with other parts of your business. For example, a link where your fans can sign up for your newsletter.

5. Post recent work or ongoing collaborations. Even if you’re a resource for your fans, they still don’t mind hearing (occasionally) about what’s going on in that office of yours.

6. Actively network. Find similar companies and message them. Identify client bases, and do what you can to tap into them.

7. Offer discounts. Better yet, offer discounts only available to your Facebook fans.

‘Til next time,

Buyer Advertising
www.buyerads.com

Congratulations. You’ve set out to build a social media audience, and you’ve met your goal. Whether you’ve gone the route of Twitter or Facebook–or both–you’ve enticed the crowds and proved yourself a social media success. So now what?

The power of many is the opportunity that your audience provides. Consider this: tapping into a large group of people at once, through the power of the Internet, to help with a question or challenge you’re facing. Companies like Mountain Dew have, in the past, used their social media network to let fans vote on the new look of their brand. Meanwhile, businesses like Kickstarter tap their audiences to raise funds for good causes. Companies have also been known to call on their fans directly for creative talent or to find leads.

At the same time, you want to be smart when it comes to tapping your audiences. Don’t give away more information than you’d like about your current strategy, and don’t reveal clients that would prefer to stay anonymous. And remember—this goes for double if you’re a publically-traded company—never admit you’re in dire need of help. Keep it positive, remain excited for new opportunities that your own personal crowd can bring you, and await (and hopefully receive!) some powerful results.

Until next time,
Buyer Advertising

New Year Brings New ways to Save

Mobile technology has evolved rapidly in the last few years, and 2012 is promising new innovations for smart phone and associated technology. Swiping your phone is already a very accessible way to pay at many major restaurants. Mobile technology is also pushing in a new direction: coupons. Designed for touch-enabled smartphones like the Droid and iPhone, mobile coupons work work at the app level by displaying a coupon with a specific code that can be either scanned or entered into an online ordering system. And if the coupon out of date or expired? Too bad—it won’t display anymore.

Mobile coupons seem like a cute idea, but they make a lot of sense, too. It brings chronic coupon clippers up to date with new technology, and leads the bargain-savvy into logging on daily for the latest deals—meaning you’ve got an audience just itching to learn about your products. Mobile coupons are green, too. No paper needed.

Of course, there’s a ways to go before you can shelf your zip-lock bag full of Shaw’s coupons. You won’t find many storefronts (especially in mom and pop operations) that are happy to accept a coupon in the form of a picture on your phone. But the technology is both catchy and catching on: two ingredients needed for future growth. Keep an ear to the rails (and your hand on your smartphone).

Signing off for now,

Buyer Advertising
www.buyerads.com