Valparaiso Magazine - Winter 2021
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“Most importantly, does the website convert a user to a customer?<br />
That’s really the goal of the website.”<br />
How to do social media well<br />
For businesses, social media has the same goal. “Social media can<br />
communicate urgent messages well to potential customers,” Nicholson<br />
said. She spends a lot of time on social media not just connecting with<br />
customers but also checking metrics to measure performance and<br />
seeing what new social media outlets develop and what they offer. “It<br />
is essential that I am spending time on all the platforms,” she added, to<br />
make sure clients’ messages are being heard and that they’re timely.<br />
Skibbie applauded early adopters who went right to social media to<br />
immediately communicate changes in hours and service offerings<br />
following the pandemic. Restaurants in particular were responsive to the<br />
frequent changes implemented via Gov. Holcomb’s stay at-home order.<br />
Other businesses have been slow to embrace social media as a<br />
marketing tool. With businesses built on a handshake and smile’ it’s<br />
difficult to realize the slow erosion of market share as their competitors<br />
win the numbers game. The efficiencies of marketing to people via<br />
social media provides a competitive advantage.<br />
“What they’re missing is the growth opportunities that come from<br />
connecting with people online. Social media offers thousands of<br />
DC<br />
OPEN<br />
THE<br />
DOOR<br />
TO YOUR<br />
DREAM<br />
impressions, free of charge, compared to other media. Social media<br />
tools lend themselves to self-implementation, whether it’s the business<br />
owner, an associate or an intern. Businesses have gone from promoting<br />
themselves with just a business card, to a brochure, to a website and<br />
now social media,” he added. “It really is a mind-boggling array<br />
of opportunities.”<br />
Distinguishing your business on social media is becoming harder as<br />
competition increases. While nothing replaces the daily authenticity of<br />
staff photos, interior images, and desk dogs, we are seeing increases in<br />
engagement determined by unique creative. Animations, illustrations<br />
and videos are drawing higher levels of response from audiences.<br />
DAWN COLLINS<br />
MOVE AHEAD<br />
MA<br />
Creators are rewarded on social media, even if you can’t afford<br />
someone to manage your online presence, daily snapshots, updated<br />
stories, and fun videos will create authentic opportunities for your<br />
clients to engage.<br />
Hay reiterated that one of the advantages of a social media presence<br />
is to learn what people are saying.<br />
BB<br />
“Small business owners don’t always have the time to keep busy on<br />
social media. They’re often too busy with all the other aspects of<br />
running a business. That’s where a professional comes in,”<br />
Nicholson added. >><br />
SB<br />
CONTACT NORTHWEST INDIANA’S MOST RECOGNIZED,<br />
RESPECTED AND RECOMMENDED AGENTS TODAY!<br />
DC<br />
DAWN COLLINS<br />
EXECUTIVE REALTY<br />
Cell: 219.921.3731<br />
Dawn@DawnCollins.com<br />
CE<br />
SH<br />
AARON COLLINS<br />
REAL ESTATE REFINED<br />
Office: 219. 531.2288 | 57 Franklin | Downtown Valpo | DCExecutiveRealty.com | f<br />
AC<br />
Cell: 219-230-6145<br />
acollinsexec@gmail.com<br />
ValpoChamber.org 17
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