Attention CEOs: Social Media is Critical in Acquiring New Customers

As a CEO of a small or medium sized business, you have a lot of responsibility. You are in charge of the growth of your company while managing all aspects of the business from IT to accounting and you are also probably one of the top sales people. Sure you have people to help you with these things but ultimately you're are the one responsible for results. One area that you are probably neglecting is Social Media.
Social media is a buzzword that almost everyone is familiar with. Wikipedia define social media as the social interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Social media platforms allow you to broadcast messages about your product or service to potential customers. At no other point in history have we had the ability to reach so many of our prospects and customers than we do now. Social media has become one of the most important business tools for you and your sales people in reaching customers.

These virtual communities and networks are composed of things such as (to name but a few):

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Google+
• Pinterest

You no doubt have heard or even used some of these sites. However, have you created a strategy for your company to leverage these platforms for acquiring new customers?

Chances are the answer is no. Most companies have not given any thought to how Social Media platforms can help them grow their business. Worse yet, many CEOs of small and medium sized businesses have not taken the time to educate themselves about these amazing platforms and how they can help grow their customer base. To help illustrate the importance we've outlined the user base of three of these platforms:

• Facebook: Over 1,000,000,000 users
• Twitter: 650,000,000 users
• LinkedIn: 375,000,000

These numbers are staggering and continuing to grow. Social media allows you, for very little money and effort, to reach your customers where they work, live and play. Online. Social media platforms, in simple terms, are like online cocktail parties. Everyone is on these platforms to engage, get educated and interact with others just like at a cocktail party. If your company is not on social media, it's the equivalent to not being invited to the party. Being on social media and not engaging with people is like being at the party and sitting in the corner not talking to anyone. It's important for your business to be the life of the party.

Posted by Matthew Cook