What are the benefits of using social media for business? Consider that there are now more than 4.2 billion active social media users across the globe. If you’re not taking advantage of social within your digital marketing strategy, you’re missing out on a fast, inexpensive, and effective way to reach customers.
The ability to create real human connections is one of the key benefits of social media for business. Authenticity builds trust. Trust, in turn, builds rapport and drives new business. And social is the best place to get real! You can introduce your followers to your family, showcase your inventory, promote other local businesses, and highlight your community involvement.
Social media gives you the opportunity to connect with fans and followers every time they log in. Seventy percent of social media users log into their accounts at least once per day, according to a 2021 study by Pew Research Center, and many people (49 percent!) admit to checking social multiple times per day. Keep your social posts entertaining and informative, and your followers will be glad to see your new content in their feeds, keeping you top of mind so you’re their first stop when they’re ready to book a yard card.
Let’s look at two of the top Social Media Platforms and explore the many ways in which social can help you connect with your target audience, engage with customers, and grow your business.
Facebook is the largest social media platform which means it is a must for yard card companies to have a strong presence. Just about every audience is on Facebook, and it is the most popular social media network for seniors — a rapidly growing demographic on the site. Facebook can help build your brand and allow you to easily engage with your customers through posts, stories, and messenger.
One of my favorite features on Facebook is the ability to schedule posts. Set aside time once a week (we recommend Sunday evening for consistency) and schedule your posts for the week. You can also connect your Instagram account and the posts will go to both accounts at the same time.
Tip for Yard Carders: use Marketplace (online yard sale), to post your services with other Facebook members in your area. Bonus, it is FREE to post and you can reach a larger audience!
Instagram is an amazing platform for Yard Carders! A large portion of the users on Instagram are in the demographic that most yard card companies are marketing to (women age 25-45), which makes it easier for companies to reach real buyers. Not only can you gain new customers because of the favored demographic Instagram reaches, but you’re able to retain customers easier than other platforms because it allows you to create relationships with your audience through Instagram stories. Through Instagram stories, you can turn one-time buyers into lifelong loyal customers because of the relationship they create with you.
Another great feature that Instagram offers is its Professional Dashboard. This dashboard allows you to learn more about your account insights, so you know more detailed information on who you are reaching with your page and what content they are interacting the most with.
Tip for yard carders: allow your Instagram community to know more about you and your life outside of yard carding. Show your face on your Instagram stories so your customers and audience know who is behind the business, so they feel comfortable supporting and referring your business!
We hope that this helps you get started with Social Media to help you connect with your target audience, engage with customers, and grow your business. Yard card Supply provides a monthly Social Media Calendar for you to use to help boost your business reach! If you aren't getting the Social Media Calendar, download it here!
Don’t forget to join Yard Card Supply - Business Support Facebook Group, if you haven’t already. You’ll often find additional information, tips, and videos from other carders. Also, don’t forget to check back for the next installment of Business Basics where we will be discussing Marketing Basics - Website SEO!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Elaina Boling is the owner of The Yard Life, a yard card company in Fort Collins, Colorado as well as a Creative Specialist for Yard Card Supply. She is married with 5 children and enjoys an active lifestyle. Elaina is passionate about quality products, mentoring, and growing the yard card industry.
Cira Long & her husband are the owners of a Northern Utah based yard card company called Smile Signs. Alongside her bachelors degree in Psychology, Cira has many years of experience in digital marketing, and has found a passion in teaching others how to successfully market their businesses through social media. In her free time, you’ll find Cira busy running and dancing around with her three little girls.
0 comments