How to Use Social Media to Boost Your Business

Around 3-6 years ago, almost every business had a website. It was like a requirement for all businesses to have their own page on the world wide web. Now, social media is taking the world by storm. You can see it everywhere from your personal computers, smart phones, radio, and even in tv.

Although technically, social media sites are also web sites, social media platforms connect a lot of users. These users are mostly friends and family who have their own interests and hobbies. The beauty of social media is that a user can share a picture, a link, a video, an article, and even recordings to whomever that user is connected with. “Sharing” is what drives one piece of information to another person, which that person can share to another person or another social media platform. Imagine your martial arts school having a video, for example a demonstration, and it was shared 1000 times. You just had free advertising for 1000 pairs of eyeballs for no cost at all.

Don’t go just yet, read the rest of this article on how to use social media. Let’s start with choosing the right platform.

What do I choose?

There are a lot of social media platforms out there. Facebook and Twitter are the most popular, so I highly suggest creating accounts for them. But what you really need to know, is where your students usually spend their time online. If they are big watchers of videos, then go to Youtube. Parents who work and have businesses go to LinkdIn. Pinterest is also very popular right now, as well as Tumblr. So know what your potential customers and your current students are using, then start there.

How again?

If you still don’t know what I’m talking about, ask a young person. For young people, the internet and social media is so natural that they can’t live without it. So tap a young person in your team or ask your kids, nephews, and nieces to create and explain what social media is about.

What do I Share?

Obviously, what we’re talking about is a form of advertisement and your mind may be spinning around with photos and videos of you selling memberships and merchandise. I’m going to tell you right now that what you’re thinking is not the way to go. Don’t always sell something, converse with the people who follow your social media account. Post some funny pictures, share some wise thoughts, and if you’ve done this 5 to 10 times, post an advertisement. Again, selling things can be perceived negatively by people so make sure that what you post is mixed in with humor and thoughtfulness.

This is no longer an experiment. Social media really drives in more business. So if you’re looking for more ways to advertise then start with this one.