Using social media is a fun way to stay in touch with the customers who love your company and the products you offer. Many people are very willing to “like” or “follow” businesses they’ve had good experiences with. It’s also a great way to advertise big sales or specials to your devoted fans. Millions of people log into their social media accounts every day, sometimes even multiple times a day, and the more you are able to put your company out there, the better chance you’ll have of people remembering you when they need a product you have.

Social media is also a great way to improve customer service. If someone is offended by your company, they’ll most likely want to tell all their friends about it so their friends don’t have the same experience. Therefore, many people complain about companies on social media where they’ll be heard loud and clear. This can really hurt a company if they don’t have a good social media presence and can catch these comments early on. If you apologize to your customer and try to make amends on social media as well, the people you may have offended will realize that you are listening to them and really do appreciate their business.

These are just a few reasons why having a strong social media presence can improve your business. There are many options you could use to improve your social media, including: offering contests online, updating your social media pages at least once a day, and answering any questions or concerns people may write on your social media accounts.

Add Follow-up Strategies to Your Marketing Plan

Wow! It is 2013 and I am excited about the many possibilties this year has in store for the small business community. But before you speed too far down-the-road with new year enthusiasm, make sure your marketing plan is updated with strategies on following up with target accounts.

Sales data shows that it takes 5 to 7 touches with a new account before making a sale, but many small businesses quit after the second attempt. So to stand out in a crowded marketplace, below are three important reasons to encourage you to develop your marketing plan with key follow-up strategies in 2013.

• The right customer relationships fuel the success of your small business and follow-up marketing and actions cultivate long term relationships which can help your small business grow at target accounts.

• Being known and positioned as an dependable solution provider is valuable to small businesses. Follow up can assist your small business in gaining this type of branding which sets your small business apart when key purchases are made by target accounts.

• Staying in communication and visible can mitigate loss of business at key accounts plus it can help minimze adverse impacts in the marketplace such as the US Governments’ financial fiscal cliff.

Go ahead expectantly into the new year, but do so wisely with an updated marketing plan with key follow up strategies for 2013. When you do, your customers and your small business will see the difference.

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