Social Media for #SmallBiz 101 Presented By: Tim Sohn Track: Business Session Format: Single Presenter Session Description: Owners of small businesses are typically very busy people. They have many responsibilities — from worrying about finances to running day-to-day operations. Sometimes they’re so focused on the daily “to-do” list that they don’t make marketing a priority, whether it’s through word-of-mouth, direct, digital or social-media marketing. Or they just don’t have the time. In this session, Tim will cover tools that make social media easier for business owners, as well as case studies and examples of successful social media strategies in action.

1. Social Media for #SmallBiz 101
By Tim Sohn
Website: SohnSocialMediaSolutions.com
Blog: Editortim.tumblr.com
Twitter @editortim

2. Don’t Be Shy!
• Live-tweet: Hashtag #NEPABlogCon
• Take lots of photos

3. Should I Use Social Media?
Probably
• Who are your customers and potentially
future customers?
• Do they use social media?

4. Social Media: The Investment
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Mobile device(s) and/or computer.
Agencies and/or employees.
Business owner’s time.
Social media software that’s not free.
Social media advertising.

5. How Can I Measure ROI? It’s Tricky.
• Coupons and Exclusive Offers: DD National Coffee Day.
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The Grotto at the Zaloom House
Call Tracking Phone Numbers for Social Campaigns.
Facebook Conversion Measurement.
Google Analytics: Analytics Academy
Compare to Before Using Social Media.

6. What Platforms Should I Use?
• Depends on your audience – what are they
using? Ask!

7. How Many Platforms Should I Be On?
• Less is best.
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Facebook: More than 1 billion active monthly users.
Google+: More than 300 million monthly active users.
Twitter: More than 200 million monthly active users.
LinkedIn: More than 225 million registered users.
• Focus on quality, targeted posts. Quality is better
than quantity.

8. Outsource?
• Factors to consider:
– Budget
– Trust
– Time
– Expertise

9. DIY
• Community college.
• Online course provider.
• Chamber of Commerce.

10. DIY Tools
Social Media Management
Analytics
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HootSuite
Kuhcoon
Tweetdeck
SproutSocial
Facebook Insights
LinkedIn Insights
Twitter Analytics
Google Analytics
Mentions
• Google Alerts
• http://www.icerocket.com
• http://socialmention.com

11. Social Media Posts Should …
• Ask questions.
• Get customers
involved.
• Have personality.
• Be about more than
your company.
• Be visual – photos
and videos.
• Include exclusive
content on each
platform.

12. Specifically for Small Businesses
• Share posts from other local businesses and
nonprofits.
• Share industry information from journals and
associations.
• Share posts from the Chamber of Commerce if
your business is local.

13. Customer Service
• If your business is using social media, you
MUST answer questions on
Facebook, Twitter, etc…
• Reply in a timely manner.
• If necessary, offer to take the conversation
offline.
• Keep a professional tone.

14. Don’t Be Shy … Again
• Tell people to like your social media pages
– Signs outside your business.
– Links on your website, blog.
– Cross-link your social media pages.
– Add social media sharing buttons to your blog.

15. Social Media Advertising
• Native vs. display
advertising.
• Is effective because you
can target potential
customers by
demographics, location, o
ther factors.
• Facebook sponsored
posts, display ads.

16. … Social Media Advertising
• Twitter promoted accounts, tweets.
• LinkedIn sponsored updates.
Coming soon: Advertising on Foursquare,
Instagram, Pinterest (promoted pins).

17. Case Study: What the FORK Truck
Chef Mario Bevilacqua

18. Questions?