Social Media Catch 22 For Small Businesses
Discussion
I run a small retail company selling detail supplies and am at the stage where I really need to start growing the business online. Of course, most have suggested social media, google adwords, seo and similar in order to drive traffic to my website.
In principal, it makes sense, but I can't help but feel it's dead money almost. I'm just a guy with next to no budget, whereas competitors have thousands to spend, almost daily it seems. I could chuck a few hundred quid at it monthly but in the world of social media, I feel this would hardly touch the sides. Am I likely to generate a few hundred quid business from it, I doubt it. Of course, you have to be in it to win it, so perhaps doing something, is better than nothing, but I'm still leaning towards "save my money" at the moment.
We do trade face to face at events where possible, but with recent restrictions, our main channel for sales has pretty much dried up, hence the move and push for online sales. We do not operate a retail store.
I suppose the question is, does one save their money and seek other ways to make use of it, or sink it into the world of social media ads in the hope we can increase traffic? Currently I spend a lot of time on social media interacting as much as I can with various groups and organisations and I feel this is a better use of social media as it only costs time.
Are there any small business that have made a "success" from social media ads on a limited budget?
In principal, it makes sense, but I can't help but feel it's dead money almost. I'm just a guy with next to no budget, whereas competitors have thousands to spend, almost daily it seems. I could chuck a few hundred quid at it monthly but in the world of social media, I feel this would hardly touch the sides. Am I likely to generate a few hundred quid business from it, I doubt it. Of course, you have to be in it to win it, so perhaps doing something, is better than nothing, but I'm still leaning towards "save my money" at the moment.
We do trade face to face at events where possible, but with recent restrictions, our main channel for sales has pretty much dried up, hence the move and push for online sales. We do not operate a retail store.
I suppose the question is, does one save their money and seek other ways to make use of it, or sink it into the world of social media ads in the hope we can increase traffic? Currently I spend a lot of time on social media interacting as much as I can with various groups and organisations and I feel this is a better use of social media as it only costs time.
Are there any small business that have made a "success" from social media ads on a limited budget?
You don't need to spend fortunes on Social Media to see results. But you do need to invest something meaningful.
Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
StevieBee said:
You don't need to spend fortunes on Social Media to see results. But you do need to invest something meaningful.
Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
This.Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
I have ran a couple of businesses previously where I used social media platforms as an advert and a presence, and it costs very little in financial terms. It can actually be very effective and cost effective.
I know several people who run small businesses and they have found Facebook to be such an effective tool for advertising and drawing in new customers, that they don't bother with any other methods now.
I would go one step further and say that many people now actually search/look on Facebook for a business type and the associated contact details, location and so on, rather than 'Googling it', and in that respect, platforms like Facebook can be more useful than a website.
If you are a business that needs to showcase or push various products and offers on a reasonably regular basis, then Facebook/Instagram etc is likely to be very useful for you, even if you don't sell to the public. More useful than a website.
As StevieBee says, if you feel you cannot manage this, then there are plenty of companies who will do it for you for a fee.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 15th September 12:54
Firstly - you don’t have IG presence.
It’s by far the first place to go for photos of shiny things. Your website links to a IG photograph page, not the business. Change this. If you’re not making money from the photography page, amend it to become your detailing page - 500 free followers!
Secondly - you don’t have IG presence!
Competitions - tag a mate/follow to win all build your numbers up. A £50 giveaway would be money better spent than paying for ads. Lots of relevant hashtags, let the numbers build. Use IG exclusive discount codes/free additional items. (Detailing sponges from Ali express/Microfibres from Costco or even stickers would do it)
Of course there will be a stage where you hit a wall and then need some extra input, but influencers and sponsoring cars who then tag you in posts etc is they way forward. Spend product, not profit. Find an interesting car from different categories (JDM/VAG/Classic/American etc) to spread yourself.
Your website looks pretty good, but on mobile I only noticed a long list of products scrolling down and didn’t realise I needed to scroll across the top to get categories. Make it as simple as possible for people to buy.
It’s by far the first place to go for photos of shiny things. Your website links to a IG photograph page, not the business. Change this. If you’re not making money from the photography page, amend it to become your detailing page - 500 free followers!
Secondly - you don’t have IG presence!
Competitions - tag a mate/follow to win all build your numbers up. A £50 giveaway would be money better spent than paying for ads. Lots of relevant hashtags, let the numbers build. Use IG exclusive discount codes/free additional items. (Detailing sponges from Ali express/Microfibres from Costco or even stickers would do it)
Of course there will be a stage where you hit a wall and then need some extra input, but influencers and sponsoring cars who then tag you in posts etc is they way forward. Spend product, not profit. Find an interesting car from different categories (JDM/VAG/Classic/American etc) to spread yourself.
Your website looks pretty good, but on mobile I only noticed a long list of products scrolling down and didn’t realise I needed to scroll across the top to get categories. Make it as simple as possible for people to buy.
bristolbaron said:
Firstly - you don’t have IG presence.
It’s by far the first place to go for photos of shiny things. Your website links to a IG photograph page, not the business. Change this. If you’re not making money from the photography page, amend it to become your detailing page - 500 free followers!
Secondly - you don’t have IG presence!
Competitions - tag a mate/follow to win all build your numbers up. A £50 giveaway would be money better spent than paying for ads. Lots of relevant hashtags, let the numbers build. Use IG exclusive discount codes/free additional items. (Detailing sponges from Ali express/Microfibres from Costco or even stickers would do it)
Of course there will be a stage where you hit a wall and then need some extra input, but influencers and sponsoring cars who then tag you in posts etc is they way forward. Spend product, not profit. Find an interesting car from different categories (JDM/VAG/Classic/American etc) to spread yourself.
Your website looks pretty good, but on mobile I only noticed a long list of products scrolling down and didn’t realise I needed to scroll across the top to get categories. Make it as simple as possible for people to buy.
You're not wrong. I'm in a bit of a transition phase with a new website and all that jazz. Insta is on the cards but Facebook is where I spend most of my time as I've never seen the draw to Insta in terms of turning a profit. But I wouldn't be here asking if I knew it all so perhaps I need to address this It’s by far the first place to go for photos of shiny things. Your website links to a IG photograph page, not the business. Change this. If you’re not making money from the photography page, amend it to become your detailing page - 500 free followers!
Secondly - you don’t have IG presence!
Competitions - tag a mate/follow to win all build your numbers up. A £50 giveaway would be money better spent than paying for ads. Lots of relevant hashtags, let the numbers build. Use IG exclusive discount codes/free additional items. (Detailing sponges from Ali express/Microfibres from Costco or even stickers would do it)
Of course there will be a stage where you hit a wall and then need some extra input, but influencers and sponsoring cars who then tag you in posts etc is they way forward. Spend product, not profit. Find an interesting car from different categories (JDM/VAG/Classic/American etc) to spread yourself.
Your website looks pretty good, but on mobile I only noticed a long list of products scrolling down and didn’t realise I needed to scroll across the top to get categories. Make it as simple as possible for people to buy.
Feedback noted on the mobile website, I shall see about making that better.
StevieBee said:
You don't need to spend fortunes on Social Media to see results. But you do need to invest something meaningful.
Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
Agreed, I fear my budget isn't going to translate into "meaningful"Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
Here’s a quick snap shot at levels of engagement between Facebook and IG account posts. The same companies, the same products, bury the difference is staggering.
It’ll also take you very little extra time, when you post to IG you can allow settings to also post to FB on your behalf. You’ll just have a whole load more people to engage with!
It’ll also take you very little extra time, when you post to IG you can allow settings to also post to FB on your behalf. You’ll just have a whole load more people to engage with!
I think the social media stuff needs to be little-and-often. It needs to become a habit.
Set yourself a goal of posting twice a day for the next 3 weeks to Facebook and Instagram. Don't cue up posts but actually write a post and twice a day. Do one give away on Facebook and one on Instagram and see what perfoms better. I think Instagram will be better for you as your service is much more visual.
How about YouTube instructional videos for your products? Another source of income that takes nothing more than a phone to get started.
Oh, your website - get rid of the big-ass contact form on the home page. That's your most valuable real estate and it's wasted! Put what you sell here! Also your Instagram page link is wrong?
Set yourself a goal of posting twice a day for the next 3 weeks to Facebook and Instagram. Don't cue up posts but actually write a post and twice a day. Do one give away on Facebook and one on Instagram and see what perfoms better. I think Instagram will be better for you as your service is much more visual.
How about YouTube instructional videos for your products? Another source of income that takes nothing more than a phone to get started.
Oh, your website - get rid of the big-ass contact form on the home page. That's your most valuable real estate and it's wasted! Put what you sell here! Also your Instagram page link is wrong?
The Moose said:
I think the social media stuff needs to be little-and-often. It needs to become a habit.
A few years ago I would have agreed with this, now it's the opposite IMO. You're competing to get your content shown to people. If you take a "little-and-often" approach your content is more likely to be lower quality and less interesting/engaging. As soon as the system detects that people are scrolling past your content and not engaging with it, they're going to be shown less and less of it. From this point on you're fighting a losing battle, and the only quick and easy way to overcome it is paid promotion/sponsored content (and that's when the platform starts making money, funny that!)Jazzy Jefferson said:
You're not wrong. I'm in a bit of a transition phase with a new website and all that jazz. Insta is on the cards but Facebook is where I spend most of my time as I've never seen the draw to Insta in terms of turning a profit. But I wouldn't be here asking if I knew it all so perhaps I need to address this
Feedback noted on the mobile website, I shall see about making that better.
You would be amazed at how much money has left my hands purely as a result of Instagram adverts Feedback noted on the mobile website, I shall see about making that better.
StevieBee said:
You don't need to spend fortunes on Social Media to see results. But you do need to invest something meaningful.
Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
Yes, you'd be surprised at how little investment (a few quid) can get good results if you make your post interesting and boost it on FB.Key is content. If what you want people to look at is bland and like everything else out there, then you'll get little to no engagement. So think creative and create content that stimulates interest. If you can't do that, invest your money in someone who can.
The same money would get f
k all if tried with google ads and SEO.pokethepope said:
The Moose said:
I think the social media stuff needs to be little-and-often. It needs to become a habit.
A few years ago I would have agreed with this, now it's the opposite IMO. You're competing to get your content shown to people. If you take a "little-and-often" approach your content is more likely to be lower quality and less interesting/engaging. As soon as the system detects that people are scrolling past your content and not engaging with it, they're going to be shown less and less of it. From this point on you're fighting a losing battle, and the only quick and easy way to overcome it is paid promotion/sponsored content (and that's when the platform starts making money, funny that!)Jazzy Jefferson said:
You're not wrong. I'm in a bit of a transition phase with a new website and all that jazz. Insta is on the cards but Facebook is where I spend most of my time as I've never seen the draw to Insta in terms of turning a profit. But I wouldn't be here asking if I knew it all so perhaps I need to address this
Feedback noted on the mobile website, I shall see about making that better.
What is the age demographic for your business/target customers?Feedback noted on the mobile website, I shall see about making that better.
Facebook is the internet for old people. Dem Yoof use Instagram.
crofty1984 said:
What is the age demographic for your business/target customers?
Facebook is the internet for old people. Dem Yoof use Instagram.
Yes.... and no.Facebook is the internet for old people. Dem Yoof use Instagram.
We've recently had some astounding engagement levels on Facebook (for a client) with the 20s to 40s age group. Just because they're not posting stuff all the time, doesn't mean they're not looking.
Instagram's age profile is shifting upwards too. TikTok has taken a very big share of their audience.
If you have an outgoing personality you can make yourself the advert for your business. Something I’m experimenting with myself right now with valuable assistance from Mr Hoofy.
Also picking hero products and boosting lovingly crafted vidverts on FB / YT etc direct to specific “as expected” landing pages can be amazingly effective if done by an increasingly hard to find marketing specialist.
Happy to chat if you wish as I now have a small oasis of time to do so.
Also picking hero products and boosting lovingly crafted vidverts on FB / YT etc direct to specific “as expected” landing pages can be amazingly effective if done by an increasingly hard to find marketing specialist.
Happy to chat if you wish as I now have a small oasis of time to do so.
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff