Social Networking and What It Means to Retail
You have to get in the game today. If not, your competition will leave you in the dust.
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PrintI'm speaking at the upcoming DRN Expo, which is geared to the dance retail industry. One of the biggest issues these retailers are trying to wrap their arms around is social networking. What to do, or what not to do. Which ones to be involved. How to manage it all.
Like so many entrepreneurial retailers, it's tough to figure out. In our ever-more information laden society, when to create a fan page on Facebook, Tweet away on Twitter or even manager your online presence via customer-centric sites like Yelp and Citysearch, it's nearly impossible to stay on top of it all. So how do you know what to do?
Talk to your colleagues - are other retailers having success with social networking? How are your vendors using different sites? There are plenty of people out there who using social networking. Just ask around and you'll find answers and even direction on which sites to use for your business.
Start small - dip your toe in and see how the water feels. It's the only way to really know what's going to work for you. Take a look at the sites. What are you more comfortable with? Find one, then give it a try. See what others are doing on the site. Learn from them.
Visit customer-centric sites and react - too often, your customers are talking about you, and you may not even know it. Managing your online image is incredibly important as more and more sites allow users to rate businesses and the experience they've had, be it restaurants, retail, services, etc. You need to reach out and manage customers who have posted negative reviews. Likewise, it's important to acknowledge users who have positively rated your business as well. This might be a good place to start.
Finding the time to manage social networking along with running a business is like trying cook burgers while you're also serving as the waiter or waitress. They work together yet are completely different disciplines. But you simply to do it - it's how business is working today. And how it will work in the future as an entire generation gets their information from their smartphones.
How are you using social networking to increase awareness, drive traffic and sales?
For more great retail tips, news and trends, follow me on Twitter.
Like so many entrepreneurial retailers, it's tough to figure out. In our ever-more information laden society, when to create a fan page on Facebook, Tweet away on Twitter or even manager your online presence via customer-centric sites like Yelp and Citysearch, it's nearly impossible to stay on top of it all. So how do you know what to do?
Talk to your colleagues - are other retailers having success with social networking? How are your vendors using different sites? There are plenty of people out there who using social networking. Just ask around and you'll find answers and even direction on which sites to use for your business.
Start small - dip your toe in and see how the water feels. It's the only way to really know what's going to work for you. Take a look at the sites. What are you more comfortable with? Find one, then give it a try. See what others are doing on the site. Learn from them.
Visit customer-centric sites and react - too often, your customers are talking about you, and you may not even know it. Managing your online image is incredibly important as more and more sites allow users to rate businesses and the experience they've had, be it restaurants, retail, services, etc. You need to reach out and manage customers who have posted negative reviews. Likewise, it's important to acknowledge users who have positively rated your business as well. This might be a good place to start.
Finding the time to manage social networking along with running a business is like trying cook burgers while you're also serving as the waiter or waitress. They work together yet are completely different disciplines. But you simply to do it - it's how business is working today. And how it will work in the future as an entire generation gets their information from their smartphones.
How are you using social networking to increase awareness, drive traffic and sales?
For more great retail tips, news and trends, follow me on Twitter.
