Must-Have Tips To Help Small Businesses Utilize Social Media

by Jerry Nettuno, founder/CEO/ chairman of Schedulicity

Having a credible social media presence is paramount for small business owners and service providers looking to build credibility in their field. As a company that has revolutionized the online appointment scheduling industry, Schedulicity understands the importance of having a strong web presence and how it can translate into a successful business.

While the vast majority of people use Facebook for personal usage, it is important to create a business page for professional purposes.  Some things for them to consider:

Don’t wait to begin using social media…

tools such as Facebook, blogs, Twitter and/or online tools Schedulicity.  Professionals should create their personal brand from the moment they consider starting a business.  Having a solid online presence will allow professionals to:

• Gain access to an audience that will read and comment on your social media content
• Begin collecting and storing hundreds of email addresses for email marketing purposes
• Listen to what’s happening professionally in communities
• Monitor other competitor pages along with industry pages to stay abreast of current trends

Be cautious when choosing the name of a professional Facebook page.

Once a page has more than 30 fans, the name cannot be changed.  Use an adaptable name, like ‘stylist,’ ‘hair pro,’ ‘financial services professional,’ etc.   Avoid any names that are transitory in nature.

Keep your personal page and business page very separate.

A professional Facebook business page will tell a prospective client that you’re a pro and can act like one.

Spotlight others on your Facebook business page.

Give credit to employees and clients.   Consider it good karma!  These people will in turn ‘like’ your page and share glowing reviews – a powerful resource when attracting new clients.

Let potential and/or new employers know you’re socially connected.

Many businesses, big and small, know that they need a social media presence but they’re unsure how to get started.  By already having that experience, you will have an advantage not only for your professional skills, but your social media skills, as well.  Being an integral part of any business’ social media presence will ensure a lasting place within that business and a successful career.

Engage your audience; make it sticky.

Create an ‘interest list’ with all the different topics that may interest your target audience. Topics a business may want to consider are:

• Talk about a tradeshow events you’ll be attending (before, during and after)
• Share lots of real-time photos on your FB business page
• Review something (products you carry, shows you watch, your new boots, anything that might interest your target audience
• Share videos (funny, informative, educational) about.com is a great resource for videos
• Act on impulses and share that info on your FB page
• Search for interesting topics on Twitter and share that with your fans
• Share business tips of the day or the week (Look for the by using the term ‘business tips’ on search.twitter.com)
• Think two months down the road and prepare specials based on upcoming holidays
• Showcase your community (i.e. let a local artist hang art in your business and take lots of  photos or offer price-reduced services to all police, fire and emergency service professionals in your town)

Use social media as a platform to market yourself!

Use a professional Facebook page as an easy, attractive medium of communication to potential and current clients. But most importantly, make it super easy for them to schedule an appointment with you. After all, the main goal is to grow your business.  Schedulicity pioneered a widget for appointment-dependent businesses to leverage Facebook, Twitter or their own business website as a business-building tool.  This integration of the widget allows clients to book directly with a service provider 24/7, without the hassles of scheduling over the phone. No more missed appointments.

Jerry Nettuno is Founder/CEO/Chairman for Schedulicity. Nettuno is an experienced entrepreneur – he co-founded Milestone Financial Group which was later acquired by Raymond James, Inc. He then joined his 3 brothers to launch the national expansion of Nettworth Financial Group in 1995 which today manages over $1 billion in assets nationwide. In 2003, he departed Nettworth to found Schedulicity.