Facebook and Twitter are the most popular, and at the same time most mis-understood social media platforms. One great source of frustration that I often experience is a conversation that goes something like this.
Dealer- "Business sure is tough"
Me- "are you trying anything different in your approach to buying and selling? Website, Facebook, Twitter??"
Dealer- "I've thought about Facebook, but I really don't want people knowing my business"
Let me get this straight you are in business, but you don't want people to know it? There is a lot of confusion about Facebook among people who feel that somehow participating in a social media site forces you to divulge your most personal secrets. Any social networking site divulges what you tell it to divulge. You don't have to have give any personal information away. You can have a presence on Facebook simply as your business. Talk about your inventory, what shows you are doing. Talk about what you love collecting or simply reminding folks that you exist.
I get tired easily of people complaining that things have changed and not willing to do anything to adapt to those changes. I'd love to see a few more people take a half an hour a week to reach out and connect with current, past and potential customers through social networking sites. Anyone up for the challenge?
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Amen! You have to grow with the changing world and keep one step ahead.
ReplyDeleteThe use of Social Media is crucial to a successful business. As a second generation dealer, my parents do not use the internet for promotion and simply are out of touch with the modern consumer. Internet buying is just as important as face to face shows and exhibitions. If not, more important because there is an actual fingerprint left that can recruit more buyers from different areas to your site and generate more income.
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