Social Media for Small Businesses on a Budget

Written by: Mike McKeen

Published: September 2015

What if I told you social media marketing didn’t have to cost a lot of money? What if I told you, small business is relevant on social media? Would you scoff in disbelief? Or be intrigued to know more?

These days online marketing is incredibly complex and it can be difficult to know exactly where to spend your marketing dollar and how much. Often overlooked is Facebook, and other social media platforms, which can easily draw more attention to your page or website. This in my experience is due to one of three things:

1. Small businesses don’t understand it, or why they should use it.
2. Small businesses don’t have time
3. Small businesses don’t think their target demographic is on it.

Like it or not the Yellow Pages have been replaced, some thought it was going to be Google, but it turns out it’s Social Media; Facebook, Google+, Yelp!, Twitter, and LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and more; that are being used to search and find businesses to fill a need. If your business isn’t on social media, you are probably being overlooked by thousands of potential customers in your local area.

It doesn’t take a lot of time to get a big result from social media, and those owners who already have a full plate, know that there are outsourcing options that suit your needs! Either by hiring out, or taking an hour or two a week, you can complete a series of simple social media posts that will at least show your expertise across the digital marketplace. This way you are at LEAST being noticed, as an active participant in whichever social media platform you exercise.

Everybody is using social media these days, for B2B and B2C businesses alike. It’s not just for the kids anymore; it is a legitimate and proven method for business and marketing. Your demographic is there, and you can reach them for a pretty penny. In Facebook, and most other social platforms with business models you are able to select your target audience with interests, gender, area, and more. You can then choose how much you want to spend; you can usually set a total budget, which will be drawn from as the platform markets your posts or page. (Depending on what you prefer). For $10 one post could reach between 2 thousand to over 4 thousand people. Which proper strategy implemented and good relevant content, you can easily create a marketing campaign that will cheaply reach your audience and connect them with your business or product.

Mike McKeen

Mike McKeen is the owner and Founder of McKeen Media Management. He helps businesses with their social media management and video production.