Recent data shows that one in four people worldwide are using social media.
People use social media for all sorts of things, such as keeping in touch with family and friends, reuniting with old friends, staying current in the media and meeting new people, or networking. Networking via social media has allowed many small businesses to grow their businesses, get more clients, and meet others in the industry and more.
If you currently run a business, you need to be on social media.
Even if you’re a contractor working in the construction industry, social media can be a great tool to get your business where you want it to be.
So you want to be a contractor?
As the following article looks at, the first step is to learn all you can about the business and attend contractors school or get your general contractor’s license, which vary by state.
Both will give you the knowledge you need to do to the work effectively and efficiently. Social media will allow you to grow your business so you have work available to do.
Using social media if you’re a contractor
Once you’ve attended school and obtained your licenses, it’s time to start growing your business.
You can advertise for free on websites such as Craigslist, post flyers on doors and in coffee shops, pay for advertising services and, of course, rely heavily on social media to get word of your company out there.
Among the tips to remember:
- Start with a blog and website – You want to have a page that acts as a “home base” for your customers and potential customers. Build a website that has a built-in blog feature so you can update customers on any specials going on, what’s new in business, recent projects you’ve worked on and more. Dedicate a page for information on who you are and why you started contracting, a page for customer reviews, a page for your contact information and a page for current projects you’re working on. Put your website on your business cards, your truck and all of your social media pages.
- Join social networking sites – Facebook is currently the largest social media website, followed by Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google Plus. At the very least, join all five of these sites under your business name. Network with other contractors in the area, promote yourself by offering deals and discounts to new customers and always respond quickly to any customer complaints or suggestions.
- Focus on getting referrals – Social media is a huge tool in helping you land referral business, which some say is the best type of business since it requires no effort on your part. The more people you have in your network and that are following your social media sites, the faster the word of your business is going to get out. You can offer discounts via your social media pages, join groups to broaden your network and flat-out ask friends and family members for referrals.
While on the surface it may not seem like contractors need social media, the truth is that every single business person in every single industry needs to be on social networking platforms.
People expect you to be present on social media, they expect you to have a well-functioning website and they expect you to get back to them in a reasonable amount of time.
Don’t disappoint, use social media!
Photo credit: Image courtesy of shutterstock.com
from Darlene Milligan http://ift.tt/1LRxgP3 via social advertising
from Tumblr http://ift.tt/1BJ3oVA
No comments:
Post a Comment