Hello readers and welcome to another entry of the Silentblast blog. So far so good on my end helping Antonio on providing content that goes beyond somewhat the ordinary that would be expected of a web development company. Antonio and I believe that these blog entries not only will provide content for his website that relates to his business model but more importantly provides information that can help customers of Silentblast. Also let’s go on a limb here. If you’re current web development firm is not preaching this stuff as well, maybe it’s time to reconsider who your partnered with when it comes to developing internet strategies to bring your business to the next level; and there is always a next level. Don’t sell yourself short because someone else say’s they or you can’t do it.
But back to the topic at hand, Social Networking for Business.
If you look at your business; you’re social whether you know or realize it. From the moment a customer comes to your door, to the moment they leave; hopefully after purchasing a product or service, there is a cycle of social activity. What’s your storefront look like, how are your staff engaging in customer service, the décor of the interior, questions asked/answered, do you afford an opportunity to continue communications if they left without buying and so forth.
Now I discussed earlier about Blogs and the social aspects of them that could help your business. Building it and just putting it on your website or having it just as your website and doing nothing will bring in minimal to no results. Like your business, you have to work these elements like a blog for example in order to see results. Do nothing… expect nothing. Do something… based on efforts you should see results.
There are a couple of other tools in your business arsenal you can use such as Twitter www.twitter.com or Facebook www.facebook.com
Ok, so you’re maybe rolling your eyes and going “not a chance.” Fine, then you just literally slammed the doors closed on potentially 15 million plus users on Twitter and Facebook has an astounding 200 million users. So now you’re saying, “I get the numbers but realistically my business is located in this given area” (points to map and concentric circle). Fair enough, and in that concentric circle your telling me there is not one potential Facebook or Twitter user? That I doubt. I can walk out my front door and already knowing in fact; there is at least 10 of my closest neighbors on Facebook alone. I haven’t even left the street yet. Throw in work colleagues, friends, family, extend to their friends and family. If your family is like mine, you can probably fill a bus or two. Somewhere, someone on that business bus at some time or another will or probably could use a service or product of yours.
“Yeah I get that, but they are family and friends and they know about my business already.” Really!!! So you crack open your family and friends phone book every time a new product or service becomes available in your business and call them all to tell them about it right? Wait… what’s that sound… (crickets chirping)… yeah I thought so.
Chances are you are not and the next person that tells me “they don’t have time” to do something relatively simple they are basically telling me they don’t have time to develop me into a potential customer let alone develop their business. You must be content then with your bottom line and going about your business dusting the shelves and waiting for the phone to ring or customers to walk in. I apologize then, please continue about your business.
For the rest; who know that getting a customer is hard work and takes time and effort, Social Networking can help you. It won’t be the end all to your business of course, but compared to other media in terms of cost like newspaper ads, TV spots, or advertising in periodicals it is extremely cost effective. Last I checked; both Facebook and Twitter were FREE!!!
If you place your Facebook and Twitter link on your website or blog, put them on your business card and marketing materials and provide even a link to it in your email marketing campaigns; the Social Network sites you maintain will grow gradually and steadily into a stable of customers and potential customers to communicate with on a regular basis.
So if you have been reading these entries in the Silentblast blog for the past few weeks you may be wondering; “what’s my message?” Well the message is actually really simple. Communication. Despite the advent of cellular phones and computers I am still of the belief despite those tools, businesses don’t communicate enough to their current customers or potential customers. If you don’t believe me, ask them the next time you’re speaking with them… in person. I think you will be surprised by the answers they give which are comments you might consider implementing.
So what is this email marketing campaign I mentioned earlier? Oh yeah that! Next blog entry, next time I communicate with you.
Silentblast Interactive - Toronto Web Design and Development
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog - www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter - http://twitter.com/silentblast
