Hardwood Floors February/March 2017

Grow Your Social Media Presence, Grow Your Business.

By Katrina Olson

Increasingly, smart marketers are using social media to engage customers in their immediate market areas and beyond. In fact, 90 percent of marketers feel social media is important to their businesses, according to a 2016 Social Media Examiner (SME) study. The top benefits as indicated by study respondents include increased exposure (89 percent), increased traffic (75 percent), developed loyal fans (68 percent), providing marketplace insight (66 percent), and generating leads (66 percent). So, why haven’t some businesses embraced social media? Maybe they’re not sure where to start or how much time it will take. About one-third (34 percent) of marketers spend one to five hours per week—and most are small businesses. A significant 24 percent spend six to 10 hours per week. Generally, the longer marketers used social media, the more time they spent. Of those using social media for two years or more, 64 percent invest six plus hours a week (SME, 2016). SIX PLATFORMS YOU SHOULD BE USING RIGHT NOW Not sure which platforms to use? Here’s a rundown of six social media platforms that should be on your radar. Facebook continues to be the most popular social network among adults, especially females age 25 to 34—prime targets for home buying and home improvements. In addition to creating a Facebook page (for business) where you can show off products and projects, consider boosting Facebook posts, running Facebook ads, and hosting Facebook contests and giveaways. 1. Facebook

BigStockPhoto ©

44 hardwood floors www.hardwoodf loorsmag.com