Small Business Marketing Tactic: Social Networking Can Add Revenue!

According to a study by Sage Software and AMI-Partners, more than 260,000 small businesses in the US and Canada employ social networking tactics.

51% - Professional social networking (i.e. LinkedIn, etc)

44% - General social networking (i.e. Facebook, etc)

38% - Niche/industry-specific communities

37% - Job Sites

28% - Blogging/microblogging (i.e. Twitter)

The most widespread uses of social media were for responding to customer questions, networking, and reference and educational purposes.

64% - Responding to customer questions

57% - Networking

44% - Reference/Education

33% - Advertising/promotion of business

So, how do you incorporate social networking into your marketing mix, which can effectively generate additional REVENUE?

Here's an idea:

1. Create a conversation with your followers & keep them engaged

2. Provide a VERY DEEP DISCOUNT sales promotion just for them, sell some last-minute inventory

3. Record the sales BUT DO NOT STOP THERE....monitor your list of friends because there is sure to be a spike in the number of people adding you as friend just as soon as their friends let them know of the sales promotion you just offered exclusively to them through your social media friendship.

Social networking - it's a new revenue stream!

Small Business Marketing Tactic: Local School Fundraising

Local schools seem to always be looking to raise funds.

Review your product offerings and identify how to best approach a local school (private, daycare, etc) and offer a fundraising opportunity to them. The effort is sure to increase awareness of your business as well as generate a great press coverage opportunity in your community.

Small Business Marketing Tactic: Goodwill In Your Community!

Use your business to spread goodwill throughout your community.

Beyond the superficial, "look at me!" announcement when a business donates time and resources to community, a small business owner has a genuine opportunity to positively impact his or her local culture when donating a portion of profits to a charitable cause. Only secondary, entrepreneurs may contact with local media and clients/vendors at deeper levels to partner in your service to community.

Ideas:

- Become a collection point for a canned food drive

- Host a Red Cross blood drive

- Schedule a Goodwill/Salvation Army drop-off event in your parking lot

Small Business Marketing Tactic: The Power Of Direct Mail

Within this age of digital mania, I just recently read an article from someone, who had publicized her event using the various digital offerings, such as:

- email,

- websites,

- Facebook, and

- an html press release.

Moving closer to the date for her event, her RSVP list still did not grow. Puzzled, she soon dropped her well-designed direct mail piece into the mail, and registrations for the event almost sold out in less than two weeks.

Don't underestimate the power of direct mail even in this digital age.

Small Business Marketing Tactics: Celebrate Faith, Family & Country