Just about every single day I am asked by a small business owner…
“How can I create buzz about my business?”
And my response is always answered in the same way “you need to put yourself and your business out there, everywhere, in a big way.”
As a social media consultant for small business owners I can help you position yourself as an expert and your business as the go-to place for your goods and/or services. We make sure that your ideal customers and clients who need you right now know how to get in touch with you. We also share content so you stay on the minds of those who may need you in the future and who can refer business to you. Sounds like a lot of work, right? Well it is, and it isn’t. If you love what you do and have a strong desire to help others, positioning yourself is not all that tough.
Creating buzz isn’t just about pushing out content so people see you as an expert in your field. You need to shift your strategy. Your mindset has to be pushing out information that others need. How can you educate, entertain, and inform them? How can you help them solve a problem? How can you make their life better?
A few tips:
1. Commit to letting your own personality shine
If you are a small business owner you are your operation. Part of the reason you are successful is because of your drive, determination and hopefully passion for your own success. You own your success and your expertise. It is easy to let your personality shine…though blog posts and how you share content on social media platforms you have the opportunity to show your expertise and attract your ideal clients with your stunning personality.
2. Be everywhere in a unique way
You should have a website, blog, and accounts set-up on social media profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Twitter for sure). Each account should be uniquely set-up based on the culture of each site and all written a bit different so you don’t sound like a broken record.
3. Publish long posts on LinkedIn
I have realized great success by publishing long posts on LinkedIn. Yes, you can write social media posts on LinkedIn (just as you would share on any other platform). Additionally, LinkedIn let’s you write longer posts, like a microblog. Not sure how to do that, I wrote a whole blog post about it that you can access by clicking here. What?!?! We are not yet connected on LinkedIn? Please send me a connection to connect!
4. Own what you do
Nothing will drive business to your doorstep like owning your expertise. You need to humbly position yourself as the expert. No questions asked. Speak at networking groups, write, network and meet people. Hang out with your clients – attend networking events with them. Last week I was at a networking event with a client – she was approached by an old friend who commented “you are everywhere on social media.” I was standing with my client at the time and just had a call with that individual this morning. When positioned correctly as the expert your buzz will sell your services.
Creating buzz can be a monumental task. You need to make sure that your positioning and branding is correct, you have an editorial calender, plan to write website articles and blog posts, social media accounts are correctly written, connected to the right people, and that you share content…exhausting to think about but very manageable. Need some help to get moving? Give me a call.
