Using Social Media for advertising without breaking the bank

The only way to use social media for marketing and to keep it cost-effective or free is to keep the posts eye-catching and relevant.  Create posts and tweets offering specials or coupons or run contests.  All of these options are reletively free or low cost or the outlay of money (as in giving a product or service to a contest winner) will create return business which then is more return money.   Posts asking questions – gets the followers involved to post something themselves and come back to read what other people have written.  Also have links to other similar businesses. Just keep posting, tweeting and pinning is the best way to keep the business name out there at virtually no cost except a few minutes of time involved.  It does take more patience to use this kind of advertising since it is not in the consumers face (like a TV or radio ad) nor does it use ‘bells and whistles or music “to capture the potential customer’s attention.

 For example – this business “Tea around the World” is located here in San Diego – so it’s a lot of local southern CA clients.   The owner travels all over the US and world visiting other locations that also specialize in afternoon tea events.   She then writes about them and has pictures on her web page. A guest might see the “TATW” FaceBook or tweets but isn’t local in CA – now can find maybe a similar service more local.    It helps both businesses to partner with each other and refer each other since they are not in the same location – they are not in competition with each other.

I have created various Facebook posts (questions/comments) to be released at various times over the next few weeks:

• Do you have a favorite treat (other than scones or biscotti) that is your go-to treat with your tea?
• Would you rather host a formal tea party or take your friends to one in a hotel?
•  Suggest a favorite dessert you might have seen on Pinterest….Follow us to see if we add it to our menu of delectable treats.
• Help us reach 200 followers – we are almost there!
• Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and on our website.
• Have a favorite location you go for afternoon tea (hotel, restaurant, tea house or garden)?  Suggest a new place for us to review. Maybe we will see you there!!