By Elinor Stutz
Many business owners still perceive social media as the biggest waste of time as opposed to doing the necessary work. They see it as employees or less seasoned entrepreneurs playing online rather than pursuing business. For example, the action of picking up the phone to call clients is their preferred use of time rather than seeing employees spending time on the social platform.
Time is a huge factor in business development, particularly when it comes to achieving all of the goals set forth and growing clientele. For this exact reason, the thought that social media is a waste of time, deserves to be reconsidered.
There are two sides to every story, and this one, has a unique spin on the subject. The fact is, social media turned the sales funnel upside down in that it allows for attracting a far wider prospective audience than ever before imagined. The winning argument is, the prospective clientele is produced in a fraction of the time versus having to pursue a defined territory.
The usage of social media should be reconsidered as a sales tool
As with any tool, there are unproductive, as well as productive ways to use social media. Training and rules should be established so that everyone has understanding for how to get the most productivity from the usage.
Several sales strategies enhance productivity on social media sites:
1. “People buy from people they know, like and trust”
Interacting online and sharing relevant content provides followers with concrete reason to learn more about your company, and motivate them to purchase from you.
2. Building relationships
Video technology offers person-to-person meetings across the globe, thereby eliminating travel expense. The visual aspect allows for becoming more comfortable with one another quickly. Watching for the visual clues, such as body language and facial expressions, provides insight as to what the other person is actually thinking. Recognizing these, you are better able to have a quality conversation instead of merely picking up the phone.
3. Growing networks becomes your business development program
Creating online file folders, or groups in your phone for messaging, or up to date CRM products in your computer, greatly increases productivity, particularly in anticipation of a new announcement about to be made. As invitations to connect come forth, consider which individuals may enhance your business growth with collaborative possibilities.
Connecting wisely becomes a widespread branding effort on several levels. In addition, you may also find new ways to share postings and events among members of your networks, who then share with their individual networks too. The reach is now unprecedented numbers, never before experienced.
4. Team effort
Challenging employees or peers to combine forces in creative groups for the creation of intriguing posts, tweets, etc., champions the team effort and springboards increased creative ideas for moving business forward. When everyone appears to have an equal voice, the motivation to contribute and remain with the group is greatly enhanced.
5. Monetary gain
The opposite of the perceived “waste of time and money” toward social media proves to be true. Instead, wider audiences are reached in a far shorter period of time. Intermixing the platforms further increases audience potential. Expense output is slashed substantially by greatly reducing travel, expense accounts, meals, gas reimbursement and all else that is taken for granted.
Business owners, who inspire their employees and train them to use social media effectively, will experience a decrease in the revolving door syndrome, and an increase in employee loyalty. The loyalty itself spreads excellent word of mouth thereby further empowering your branding effort.
Engaging in using social media as a sales tool will lead you to the Smooth Sale!
Author Bio:
Elinor Stutz is a contributing author to the Personal Branding Blog. She is CEO of Smooth Sale, delivers inspirational keynotes at conferences, and the author the international bestseller Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results and HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself on Interviews. CEOWORLD magazine named Stutz “one of the brightest sales minds to follow on Twitter.”
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