Social media is a necessity for the growth of the modern-day business as it is a platform that allows us participate in social networking and a powerful channel for marketing. Roughly 8 out of 10 Americans carry out an online research before they make any purchase; in most cases, they turn to social media. It is hence very important to get your businesses on social media as you can get a lot of customers from there.

Social media marketing however can be expensive sometimes depending on the channels and platforms you want to consider. However, with limited time and budget, you can get your social media marketing running with some creative thinking and a bit of innovation all depending on the kind of business you operate and the type of target audience you have. The following are some non-expensive ways to get your social media marketing up and running.
"A large social-media presence is important because it's one of the last ways to conduct cost-effective marketing. Everything else involves buying eyeballs and ears. Social media enables a small business to earn eyeballs and ears." Guy Kawasaki
1. PUT OUT ONLY QUALITY CONTENT
The fact that “content is king” can never be overemphasized as content is the only means by which you are passing your message over to your audiences which consists of your existing customers and the ones you are targeting. Depending on the products or services you offer, the content you put on your social media platforms must be able to satisfy the curiosity of your customers. Once your social media platforms becomes the go-to page for whatsoever questions your customers and intending customers have then you have captured them.
2. USE FACEBOOK
Owing to the fact that facebook has about 2.2 billion monthly active users, you just have to be amidst that crowd to get as much customers as you can. A lot of people and more specifically, a lot of your customers and potential customers use facebook so you need to be there with them. You need to create a facebook fan page with an attractive page layout where your fans can air their views and you can respond to them as well. You can reach quite a number of people via organic(unpaid) advertising on facebook, however more people can be reached via paid advertising which is relatively cost effective using facebook Ads.
3. CREATE VIDEO CONTENT AS WELL AS INFOGRAPHICS
Videos and infographics usually catch the attention of people.Also, they better illustrate the message you wish to pass across to your customers. You can make instructional videos demonstrating how the products or services you offer can be used and how it is beneficial to them. You could also demonstrate how certain difficulties they encounter during use can be tackled. This communicates ease to the customers.
4. BE A SOCIAL NETWORKER
Relevant information about your business as well as your customers are always popping up online every now and then. Most times you might need to pay to carry out a proper market survey or research about your competitors; If however, you are a dedicated social networker who is actively online, it is very possible that you can just gather all the relevant information you need by simple social networking, meeting new people and sharing ideas with others.
5. ENGAGE YOUR CUSTOMERS/AUDIENCE
Social media marketing involves a bi-directional communication pattern. You need to ensure that you get feedback from your audience to know the areas of your business where you are doing well and other areas that needs improvement. You can host online competitions about the knowledge of your business or product usage with prizes for participants so as to attract them. You could also host a picture contest where your customers post pictures of themselves using your products. This helps to create a fuss on the social media platforms about your business if you can get enough participants.
With a low budget you can get your social media marketing up and running once you have innovative and creative ideas that align with the goals of your business.
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