I was walking home from dropping the children at school one morning last week when I saw my builder’s van drive past. This made me think about the fact that I have been vaguely thinking for ages that I should get in touch with him.
In the 15 minutes between then and getting home, I had come up with a whole list of things we needed doing; the dodgy chimney breast to be sorted before next winter’s high winds, a quote for rendering the house I had been wondering about, would he replace fascia boards and could I book him in to sand our floor next time we are away?
Quite a list, and one that will bring him in some good money, and yet he had not done anything to sell to me, no sales call, no special offer. Had I not been reminded that morning, by seeing his van drive past, the list I gave him would have remained jobs still to be done in my head.
To me, this sums up the benefits of social media to a small business. Many businesses do not have a van that drives around their target area, they are home based, or certainly a fixed location. They may meet people at networking, but that is for a few hours a month and adverts cost money, and are clearly selling something.
Social media is a Godsend for these businesses, where they can give out tips, things they know because they are brilliant at what they do, and they can interact with people. Sharing a comment or two with someone you meet once a month at networking, via Twitter or Facebook, will keep you in their mind, whether it is a task or product they need from you, or they hear a friend or acquaintance talking about something they think you could help with.
