How 10 small businesses made social media work for them
It’s changed the way we live our lives, some say for the better, some say for the worse. One thing is for sure, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon!
This Wednesday 30th June is Social Media Day and we spoke to 10 small businesses about how they’ve used social media to their advantage:
Lorraine Thomas, of View From My Window, a London-based property coaching and management business, said:
“It’s all in the analytics. I’ve noticed that my website traffic is drawn from my social media efforts. So rather than spending time on drawing people to my website I use LinkedIn and Instagram to do that for me.
“It is a great way to catalogue my journey and reflect at points on how far I have come. Seeing the visuals and literally scrolling through the timeline of achievements is impactful.”
Clare Groombridge, managing director at South Coast Social, social media experts based in Bournemouth, said:
“Ensure you have a clear strategy! An effective social media strategy will let you build awareness for your brand and reach new audiences that you are unlikely to touch through other forms of advertising.
“It can build strong relationships with your customer base, developing consumer loyalty and promoting a strong brand image. More than ever in the current climate, businesses are discovering the strong results which follow from a strategic social media presence: more sales as shoppers source products online, more new and returning customers, better return on investment, more awareness for their brand – and therefore stronger growth.
“The key term to remember is ‘social’; becoming a part of a broader conversation and promoting interaction and engagement, as opposed to interruptive messaging and quick-hit promos, are vital for long-term engagement and growth on social media. If you want to make your social platforms work for you it’s crucial to talk ‘with’ your customers, not ‘at’ them.
“By being aware of your platform selections, you can make the most of your time and effort – and reach the right people in the right places with your social media strategy.”
Anikka Burton, from Not Another Bunch of Flowers, West Sussex, said:
“Social media allows small businesses to get across the personalities of the people behind the scenes. Years ago we would have had to rely on printed media to run a story to portray the more personal side of our businesses.
“Our customer interaction on our social media channels are one of the things I enjoy most about running my business. I have also been able to connect with other small businesses whose products are a good fit with our brand and have expanded our product range as a result.”
Managing director at London’s The Commonwealth Tea Company, Samrat Navale, said:
“Starting up as a new company in premium tea at the height of the pandemic meant we were only able to reach out to people via social media and online marketing.
“The inability to physically present our products to potential customers and buyers did hold us back but working with professional social media companies and photographers with a little bit of help from experts and webinars did help us establish a small presence online.”
Fiona Murphy, at BettyliciousUK, a 1950s-inspired clothing brand based in Dorset, said:
“In lockdown I used Facebook lives to connect with my customers and drive sales. I am quite self-conscious and do not tend to watch them back but it felt great to do fun things, quizzes and giveaways.”
Speaking from Milton Keynes fashion label Beasty Era, Promise Oti said:
“The fact that social media is a very strong marketing and sales tool for any business cannot be overemphasised. My clothing and design brand BeastyEra has not been an exception to the numerous opportunities social media has presented and the potentials it’s yet to unleash to the brand as well.
“Social media also exposes brands to like minds. I’ve learned a lot from other individuals and brands too. The reach social media has enabled for my brand is very commendable.”
Anna Cargan, director of children’s clothing company Build A Bundle in Barrow-In-Furness, said:
“We’ve built our business entirely on Facebook. When I first had the idea for the business, before I did anything else I tested the water by asking other parents in a couple of local parent-based Facebook groups about whether it was something they would use.
“I got a really positive response which gave me the confidence to go for it and the first thing I did when I decided to go ahead was to set up a Facebook page.
“From 2018 when we started until 2021 we didn’t advertise anywhere except Facebook. During that time we built our business from one mum working from home up to a team of two directors and six staff selling over 50,000 items of clothing a year.”
Laura Courtie, stylist and owner at North Lanarkshire salon Laura Courtie Hair, said:
“Through social media I went from struggling to make money to earning more than I ever would being employed. I now see around 130 brides a year plus run a successful salon diary seeing clients a few days a week.
“I continue to use these options to build and I’m now launching a bridal hair training academy to teach others how to do it.”
Anna Lundberg, Poole-based personal coach, speaker and writer, said:
“Social media opens up a whole world that wasn’t available to small businesses, unable to match the huge marketing budgets of big-name brands in the past.”
Speaking from The Sensory Box Company, specialising in sensory play experience for mothers and babies, Lauren Roden, of Nottingham, said,
“Through social media I’ve been able to get my products in front of more people that may not have otherwise discovered my boxes.
“Social media allows me to add personality to my brand and showcase my products perfectly with my two little boys. I couldn’t ask for better models! It’s helped me connect with other small businesses and trade tips too, even if we compete slightly. It’s great to cheer each other on and share in each other’s success.
“Without social media, my business just wouldn’t exist.”
