BTT Week 2: Social Media

Let's face it, there is no escaping social media in this era, especially if you are a business.

Whether you want to sell products or services, you are going to have to use social media (or hire someone to do it for you). While we are all for a shameless plug about our social media management options, let's dive into how you can help yourself!

Here are the top FIVE social media tips and tools we recommend to help get your business working better for you:

1. Schedule posts in advance based on viewing trends. We love Hootesuite as a tool to post to ALL platforms from one source.

2. Post with images! There is a reason we say pictures are worth a thousand words.

3. Stick to what you know. If it isn't relevant to your business or a major national holiday, don't post. Stay neutral and non-political wherever possible.

4. Stay on brand. Wherever you can, include your logo, tag line, design elements, or watermark on images you post so they align with your visual brand. This will build a stronger brand identity and ensure your work isn't being stolen.

5. Make a series. Much like our Business Tip Thursday, a series of posts that are all themed to a specific topic can bring customers back and generate excitement around the services or products you offer.

What other tips do you recommend for other small business owners?

BTT Week 1: Your skills are more than the end product.

In 2021, there is a rebirth of niche skills development through interest-based adult learning. As a small business owner, YOU can take advantage of this.

You can start thinking about what services you offer and how to share the skills you have developed or the knowledge you have gained through social media, classes, courses, subscription services, or DIY kits. Customers are often looking to learn as much as they are looking for the end product and you can differentiate your business from your competitors by capitalizing on this.

This allows you to stay within your niche, but expand your possible client base outside of your area or region by offering a unique opportunity for your customers to learn something they can apply themselves. While some may argue that this will lead to clients no longer purchasing your product or services, I would argue that a strategic approach will demonstrate to your clients the value of your expertise and experience in your arena. This strategy is also a low lift/high yield option to increase your income and customer base.

Examples of how to capitalize in specific markets:

• Landscaping Services Company:

  • Classes on plants that thrive in your climate (or in different climates for a wider reach).

  • Herb-growing kits with recipes

• Accessory makers:

  • Subscription service with seasonal jewelry/handbags/knitted items and info sheet on why it is seasonally appropriate or locally sourced (works especially well for those who have deep knowledge into gemstones and crystals)

  • Mini product DIY kit

  • Classes on different types of items or maker philosophies within your niche (different types of knitting/crocheting/leatherworking/etc)

• Personal Service Providers

  • Subscription services are the new thing in beauty, wellness, and fitness. Take advantage by creating a service or product-based subscription option.

  • Minikit and demo: create a short video to share with customers who purchase a kit for the care or maintenance of the service you provide (example: mini at-home facial)

• Clothing makers/ embroiderers

  • No-sew kits with a video demo or instruction sheet

  • Post time-lapse videos of your process on social media (YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram reels) for more followers.

• Digital artists

  • Classes on photo editing or simple art creation

  • Offer a seasonal photo frame for families or individuals to use on social media

Any of these or other options can be applied to a multitude of industries. If you are planning on offering classes, courses, or a subscription service, you will need to establish where you will publish information or host events (virtually or in-person). If you are doing so online, you will also need to collect payment. Social media is a great place to showcase your talent or process in order to gain followership which will eventually result in increased customers, but in order to tap into your current customers/followers/prospects, offering paid learning/creating opportunities will allow you to monetize your knowledge and skills more quickly.

Say When LLC can provide you will all of the tools and tricks to getting started in this effort with a website where you can host classes and take payment, social media support, or logistics help in packaging and shipping those kits. We are here to make your life run smoother, you just say when!