Many business owners struggle trying to run a successful business while promoting that business. With more than 3 billion people using social platforms around the world, can you really afford not to? Like it or not, social media is becoming an increasingly valuable marketing tool and one that business owners would be foolish to ignore.

Some recent stats (according to BusinessDIT):

• 71% of small- to medium-sized businesses use social media to market themselves
• 52% percent of those who do so post at least once a day
• 63% of customers actually expect businesses to provide customer service through their social media
• 90% of social media users have already connected with a brand or business through their preferred platform.

Social media for business is no longer optional. It is an essential way to reach clients and customers, while gaining valuable insights, and growing your brand. So what are you waiting for?

There are many benefits to utilizing social media to reach potential customers to include boosting brand awareness and increasing inbound traffic to your website. The cost of advertising on social media tends to be lower than traditional advertising methods such as print media. Using social media allows you to have a targeted reach and to pinpoint prospects, while increasing conversions and ultimately getting a higher return on investment. Advertising on social media also allows for real-time performance analysis. You will know if your ad is reaching those you intend with a call to action. You have the ability to change your ad and almost instantaneously see the results.

Many business owners feel they are simply too busy to engage in social media for their business. But social media is here to stay and there are many ways to participate and reap the benefits without putting in a lot of time and money. Step one is creating an account on those social platforms you think might benefit your business the most. Step two is doing some research online on the best approaches to social media marketing for businesses. Step three is joining the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce or upgrading your current SFCC membership to an annual Sustaining Membership which includes some social media guidance and support with every membership. The Chamber also promotes SFCC Members across their social media platforms. These professionally designed posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram can be utilized on your social media at no additional cost.

Additionally, the Chamber engages in reciprocal social media sharing by monitoring the pages of Members and frequently sharing their posts across the SFCC's social media platforms. If there is something of importance a Member wants promoted, the Chamber can help to spread the word across all their social platforms.

Jumping on the social media bandwagon is a must if you want to succeed in today's market. From large corporations to small mom-and-pop shops, all businesses can benefit from having a social media presence. Add social media to your marketing strategy with a little help from the Chamber. Contact the Chamber at SFCCExecDirector@gmail.com for details on making social media work for your business.