What is the role of social media in the marketing strategy of your jewelry store?
Have you embraced social networking or are you still clutching tightly to your time-honored method of a few newspaper promotions and a scattering of magazine ads?
Before you answer that question, lets first get the definition of a social networking site.
A social networking site is “an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities.” as defined by Wikipedia.
Obviously the jewelry business is a social business, thus it stands to reason that any vehicle that allows us to be more social with our clients has to be seen as a positive.
Still not convinced that a marketing plan that includes a significant investment in social networking is right for you?
Consider the results from SaleSpider, a company that has 957,871 members.
The survey findings released by SaleSpider illustrate just how important social networking is perceived to be for small to medium-sized businesses.
“75% plan to make social networking a bigger part of their marketing mix in 2011 with two-thirds of all respondents noting that social networking has driven sales”. From SaleSpider, December 14th, 2010. Additional results from that survey are just as eye-opening:
– Importance of social networking sites.
63% believe that social networking sites are helping to drive sales increase revenue. Of that 63 %, nearly 40% stated that this amount is “significant”.
– Networking as a % of total marketing.
83% will devote at least 11% of their marketing resources to social networking practices.
– How networking is being used.
49% responded that they were using social networking in multiple ways from networking with prospects, to promoting products and services.
– What they plan to spend in marketing efforts in time and money.
17% will spend 10% of less, 31% will spend between 11 to 25%, 34% will spend between 26 to 50%, and 14% will spend more than 50% of their time and budget on social marketing in 2011.
“What seems apparent is that, for those companies that have made a commitment to using these services, the vast majority are seeing results.” Quote from Russell Rothstein, CEO of SaleSpider.
For those jewelry stores that commit to a well thought out strategy on social networking, there are certainly tangible benefits.
The divide between the “have’s” and the “have not’s” is widening every day when it comes to a cohesive marketing strategy that incorporates social networking.
Don’t fall behind in this area.
There is a definite role for social networking in your overall marketing strategy.
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The host of “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show – Jewelry Business Strategist – President of Four Grainer LLC. Author of the business books “A Reason To Chant,” and “A Reason to Chant – Jewelry Trade Edition.” Rod lives in Atlanta with his wife and two almost-human cats.