How to Use Social Networking to Grow Your Business

You’ve no doubt heard about how social networking is sweeping the world off its feet…including the business world. Everyone, it seems, from tiny home-based businesses to large, multi-national corporations are using social networking to get in touch with their customers and grow their business.

But how can you, as an outdoor power equipment dealer, use social networking to grow your business? And is it even worth the time?

Well, there are several ways that outdoor power equipment dealers can use social networking. And, it’s definitely worth your time if you do it consistently.

Why Invest the Time?

Because that’s where your customers, and your future customers, are spending their time. More people now use Facebook than Google. If you don’t have a Facebook page for your dealership, then you’re missing a huge opportunity to connect with your customers.

Social Networking is also very personal. It’s an easy way to reach out to thousands of people (for free), and develop a relationship. The more your customers, and your future customers, see your dealership’s name, and the more they interact with you, the likelier they are to spend money in your store.

How to Use Social Networking

Facebook should be the first social networking page you set up.

Start by uploading pictures of your dealership, and inviting customers to look you up on the site. Make sure there are incentives for them to do so; let them know you’ll be offering special coupons to all your Facebook fans.

If you’re having a hard time finding fans once you get your page set up, then try and find your city’s Facebook page (chances are, they have one). Once you become their fan, you’ll be able to see everyone else who is a fan of your local town. Invite them to become a fan of your dealership.

The goal here is to continually grow your fan base. And it’s vital that you provide value to everyone who’s a fan of your Facebook page. So post quality articles you find online that will help your customers take care of their lawn, do interesting projects in their homes, or shovel snow safely.

Using Twitter should be the same way. You can find Twitter fans by typing in your zip code, or becoming friends with other local businesses and then befriending the people on their list.

Twitter is a great way to stay “top of mind” with your customers. You have 140 characters to talk about whatever you want. But you can also post coupons, let customers know about upcoming sales and events, or even post helpful articles that your customers would be interested in.

Measuring Response

It’s important to realize that seeing results from social networking takes time, which is why many business owners don’t believe it works. They’ll focus on it for a month or two, and then give up.

The key is to keep going; social networking only works if it’s done consistently. This means spending time on it every week, at the least.

Social networking may seem overwhelming to many dealers but focus on doing a small bit at a time. Remember, do it daily or weekly, and do it consistently. Social networking is a long-term growth strategy, not a way to “get rich quick”.