Many small businesses do not have the resources to invest in a marketing campaign.
Even for those small businesses that are really successful, an annual marketing budget can often be eaten away by other "priorities", leaving very little for the company's marketing efforts.
And let's face it, in today's world, the costs of any form of advertising or marketing, are just astronomical.
Most companies in South Africa are still engaging in the "traditional" forms of advertising, eg.
tv, radio, billboard and print advertising.
While I am not negating these platforms, there is another way to market and advertise your business, even on the smallest budget.
Online marketing has been around for a while, however, it really has developed in the last few years and has become a truly viable, profitable form of marketing.
In many campaigns, the online marketing thrust has completely outstripped the other forms of marketing.
Now we see many well-known, international brands incorporating social media marketing into their campaigns, and they are smiling, all the way to the bank.
Online marketing is such a broad spectrum, and there are a number of avenues that you could explore, but Facebook really is one of the platforms that is leading the pack.
It's no longer a teenager's past time, but is now a businessman's marketing dream.
Facebook Pages were first introduced about 10 years ago, and today we see a number of companies engaging with their clients, customers and fans using this medium.
South African businesses are starting to make use of Facebook Pages and here are just 6 reasons why so should you: 1.
According to Google Data, 540 million people around the world are using Facebook.
A Facebook Page will enable you to reach more people than you ever dreamed possible, at any time of the day, anywhere in the world.
2.
This is probably the most compelling reason for most, but setting up a Facebook Page will not cost you a single cent - unless you were to employ someone to do it for you.
3.
Using Facebook Insights, Facebook's analytics program, you are able to target certain demographics on Facebook.
You will see how many people visit your Page on a weekly basis, who they are etc.
You will be able to get to know them & meet their needs before they are even aware of them.
4.
Establish your business personality on the web.
A Facebook Page will not only add value to your website, but give your website & your business a personality.
As you are engaging with people on a social, relational basis, your online business brand will be given a personal, "human" touch that your website can most probably not achieve on it's own.
5.
A Facebook Page is helpful for those who do not have a website.
You can set it up yourself, maintain it & build a client base from there.
Although, I do advise you to get a website at some point:) Facebook is easy to use, cost-effective and is able to reach hundreds of thousands of people.
Advertising and marketing is evolving again, and this time on the net.
Marketing your website on Facebook and other social media websites will bring you alternative sources of traffic and potential customers.
Can you afford not to evolve in the same way?
Even for those small businesses that are really successful, an annual marketing budget can often be eaten away by other "priorities", leaving very little for the company's marketing efforts.
And let's face it, in today's world, the costs of any form of advertising or marketing, are just astronomical.
Most companies in South Africa are still engaging in the "traditional" forms of advertising, eg.
tv, radio, billboard and print advertising.
While I am not negating these platforms, there is another way to market and advertise your business, even on the smallest budget.
Online marketing has been around for a while, however, it really has developed in the last few years and has become a truly viable, profitable form of marketing.
In many campaigns, the online marketing thrust has completely outstripped the other forms of marketing.
Now we see many well-known, international brands incorporating social media marketing into their campaigns, and they are smiling, all the way to the bank.
Online marketing is such a broad spectrum, and there are a number of avenues that you could explore, but Facebook really is one of the platforms that is leading the pack.
It's no longer a teenager's past time, but is now a businessman's marketing dream.
Facebook Pages were first introduced about 10 years ago, and today we see a number of companies engaging with their clients, customers and fans using this medium.
South African businesses are starting to make use of Facebook Pages and here are just 6 reasons why so should you: 1.
According to Google Data, 540 million people around the world are using Facebook.
A Facebook Page will enable you to reach more people than you ever dreamed possible, at any time of the day, anywhere in the world.
2.
This is probably the most compelling reason for most, but setting up a Facebook Page will not cost you a single cent - unless you were to employ someone to do it for you.
3.
Using Facebook Insights, Facebook's analytics program, you are able to target certain demographics on Facebook.
You will see how many people visit your Page on a weekly basis, who they are etc.
You will be able to get to know them & meet their needs before they are even aware of them.
4.
Establish your business personality on the web.
A Facebook Page will not only add value to your website, but give your website & your business a personality.
As you are engaging with people on a social, relational basis, your online business brand will be given a personal, "human" touch that your website can most probably not achieve on it's own.
5.
A Facebook Page is helpful for those who do not have a website.
You can set it up yourself, maintain it & build a client base from there.
Although, I do advise you to get a website at some point:) Facebook is easy to use, cost-effective and is able to reach hundreds of thousands of people.
Advertising and marketing is evolving again, and this time on the net.
Marketing your website on Facebook and other social media websites will bring you alternative sources of traffic and potential customers.
Can you afford not to evolve in the same way?