A study reveals that 43% of small business owners believe social media is not needed for their local small business marketing. They see no benefit to their business from engaging in social media. If you are one of those who believe social media is just a fad, you had better think again. It is here to stay, and it can greatly improve your local small business marketing if you let it.

Word-of-Mouth = Social Media

A word of advice to non-believers of social media out there: social media is in fact word-of-mouth advertising. People use these websites for personal reasons like connecting with long-lost friends, but some people also use it for local small business marketing. Whether you use a Facebook account as an online shop or use messages to advertise a product, these sites are vital to marketing your business.

If you think the definition of word-of-mouth is literally talking personally with others, it is time to include talking to others online. Get your local small business marketing going on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and such other sites. Here are other ways on how social media can help your business marketing.

Market as You See Fit

When you post ads for your local small business marketing on a social media site, you must tailor- fit your message exactly for your target market. Your fans and followers are likely to copy and paste your message, which is why your ad must be effective right from the beginning. Local small business marketing using these media lets you deliver your ads your way—even if they are widely circulated, they remain the same.

Recommending and Referring are Made Easier

Local small business marketing works great on social media platforms because of its ease of use. People are usually into the latest products or services, and it is easy for them to tell others about it. There is no reason why local small business marketing using social media will not work for you business. With the many sharing buttons and methods available, people can suggest your business, products and services to others with a click of a button.

Local small business marketing also works when you introduce your business to groups (which most social media sites have) who are interested in your industry. Moreover, people are using social media to ask for opinions and suggestions, which you can use for your local small business marketing. People post or tweet asking recommended skin care products, where to eat the best burgers, or where to go for a relaxing spa. If someone in their network knows about your business, they can easily refer you to those who are asking.

More Connections = More Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Local small business marketing helps you advertise your business not only to your friends and family. The great thing about social networks is that you can reach out to others even if you do not know them personally. If they are part of your friends’ networks, your local small business marketing can reach them, too.

In addition, social media platforms allow you to keep in touch with people. When you introduce a product, people are more than willing to check it out and comment on it. Local small business marketing can be more effective if you take time to converse with those who comment; take the opportunity to explain more. You can say more details about your products and services or your business.

Talking with people lets them know you are real, which is important for local small business marketing. Customers can get put off when they ask something about a product and nobody answers. It also helps you establish connections, which in turn makes them more willing to refer you to other people they know.

Today, local small business marketing and social media go hand in hand. Whereas people cannot imagine marketing without word-of-mouth in the past, these days it is all about attracting people online. It is through online means that people are encouraged to check out new stuff and recommend them— the perfect platform for local small business marketing.