Many people and businesses have written off Google+ as their social media marketing network of choice. This is understandable, looking at how big networks like Facebook and Twitter are.

That said, Google+ has some real advantages that can help your small business— so don’t write it off yet!

1. Google+ allows you to focus your marketing on specific segments using “circles”

You can share posts with specific “circles.” Businesses might have different circles for people interested in different products or services that they offer, or maybe you have a circle just for referral sources. This way you can share your updates with the most relevant segments.

2. Web pages that have been +1’d (basically the equivalent of “liking” something on Facebook) by users in your circles will get bumped up in your search results

This is great for your business if people within your network +1 your webpages or blog posts.

3. Businesses that have a Google plus page will show up higher than those who do not.

This pretty much speaks for itself. It’s always a bonus to show up higher in search results. If adding the content that you are already producing to your G+ page is all you need to do to get an SEO boost, it seems like an easy decision.

4. Use the Google Hangout feature

This is a great alternative to something like Skype and it has more of a group feel to it. For example, you could host a Google Hangout Q & A about your industry. You can also use Google hangouts to reach out to remotely working employees.

If your company does not have a social media presence, you are falling behind. Starting out with social media marketing does not need to be a big production. Many small businesses will hire a social media consultant to take over this initiative, but many others do not have the resources to do so. In this case, you must still try to develop a social media presence and the easiest, most time efficient way to do so is to infuse social media efforts into your current marketing campaigns.

You are probably utilizing other forms of marketing– email campaigns, direct mail campaigns or advertisements for example. If you are spending your resources here then you should be directing contacts to your social media sites as well as to your website.

Here are 3 simple ways to add social media to your mix:

1. Use image links in your signature block to direct contacts from your e-mail campaigns to your social media accounts

Using an image is more visual than a link. You want to optimize your e-mails in this way. As many links as you can have, without being overkill, is the key. You should have link images to all of your social sites, blog (if you have one) and definitely a link to your website.

2. Hold a contests on Twitter or Facebook and announce it via your other channels

Make sure that the prize is something of value– a free trial, a discount or just something free if you can do it. Tell people in your direct mail pieces and emails where to go to enter and that they need to “like” or “follow” you to qualify.

Instruct participants to invite friends to join by forwarding your e-mail or showing them the directions.

3. Cross- promote your social media channels

People who like you on Facebook may not necessarily also be following you on Twitter, LinkedIn or Pinterest. Every once in a while make sure that everyone who is exposed to your company is aware of all of the channels that you are on. Just a simple “did you know we are on Pinterest? Follow us here” is enough. If you are doing a contest on one social channel direct people from your other channels to that one. Also, if you are active in any LinkedIn groups (and you should be, these are great resources), post about your social channels and let the group know that you sometimes host contests or giveaways so that they know that there is something in it for them to follow or like you.

Doing these 3 steps will help enhance your social media presence using campaigns and marketing strategies that you are using. Also, read our blog posts on how to use social media to lead capture (click here), or how to learn which social media channels you should focus on (click here) if you would like to learn more.

If you have any additional ideas on how to incorporate social media into your current marketing tactics, we would love to hear them– leave them in the comments below!

The first step in social media marketing for small business is to learn which social media platforms to focus on (Check out “Social Media Overload– How to Get Focused). After you have determined this, the next step is to break each platform down and determine it’s best uses. More and more businesses are using Pinterest for marketing their business. Pinterest is very different from other social sites and isn’t good for all businesses. Businesses that have visually appealing products can benefit highly from Pinterest. Businesses that are service providers and don’t have visually appealing products can still find benefit by posting things like infographics, images and videos about their industry.

1. Post pictures of products and link back to your website

This is the essence of Pinterest and the reason that Pinterest is good for marketing. People are extremely visual. Retail stores, especially boutiques, have really been able to optimize Pinterest’s benefits. You can insert a url straight from your website to pin the image or you can upload it from your computer. Once the image is uploaded, you can go to “edit” on the pin and see what url is in the “link” box. This is where people will be directed when they click through your pin.

2. Have a contest

Pinterest allows you to create public boards and let everyone contribute. Set a time frame and see who can upload the best, worst, funniest…(you get the idea) image with a caption that is relevant to your business and give something of value to the winner. Something like a free trial, 20% coupon, etc would work really well.

3. Use a contact capture form

Take it a step further and have a drawing. Snip an image of a contact capture form and post the image to one of your boards with a caption that instructs people to click through, fill out the form and be registered to win a prize (again, a coupon or free trial). Have the image linked to the actual form on your website or a landing page.

This has an additional benefit because you will be getting new leads and will be able to start these new contacts onto your email marketing campaigns as well.

4. Find and follow your target market

If you are a boutique, follow individuals that have fashion boards and pin a lot of clothing. A restaurant– look for pinners who are regularly re-pinning yummy looking food (no shortage of this in Pinterest). It’s simple, find people who want what you have and follow all of their boards. They may follow you back which will increase the size and reach of your audience.

5. Promote Pinterest-only special offers

Give your Pinterest followers a special that is unique to them. Post something like this: “Repin this and get a 20% coupon” . Make sure that you specify that this offer is only good for your Pinterest followers. Allow the pinners to get a code from the pin when they click through or to bring it into your store and show it on their phone so that anyone who views the pin can get the deal. By asking them to “re-pin” you are getting your special offer out to their audiences as well and capturing more attention.

6. Add a Pin-it button to your website

By adding a “pin it” button to your site, you are allowing visitors to “pin” images of your products and services that will be linked back to your site. This is great because it will be marketed to new contacts, who may have not gone to your site other wise.

Developing a marketing strategy and plan is key to being successful at marketing your small business. A lot of small business owners don’t feel that they have the time to dedicate to marketing their business, so they don’t take the time to sit down and really think about how it should be done correctly. Besides that, because many small business owners do not have the resources to hire someone to do their marketing and may feel that they are not knowledgeable enough about marketing. Due to these reasons, many small business either don’t market themselves at all, or they waste precious dollars on marketing channels that aren’t the most successful.

Here are a few ideas to help you develop an over all marketing flow for you business and stick to your plan.

1. Research marketing strategies and marketing proposals

Even though you won’t be hiring a marketing firm or consultant, look into what they would be preparing for you if you were. Research marketing proposals to learn the key components to build a proposal for your business for the next year.

2. Brainstorm with your employees about your brand

Having a cohesive idea about who you are and what you do is extremely important. You should develop 3-4 core messages that explain your purpose. Then, all of your marketing materials should come easier because you know what you need to say.

Also think about who would your brand be if it was a person? What do you logo and colors say to your leads, prospects and customers? What do your competitors brands say about them?

3. Look at your customers to determine who your target market is

Look at who your current customers are. Chances are, there are probably certain demographics who are drawn to your business more than others. Why is that? What type of marketing would these groups respond to the best?

4. Determine which marketing channels will be most important to you

You don’t have all of the time in the world to spend on marketing, considering you have a business to run, so determine where you want to be spending your time. Social media and e-mail marketing are cheaper options than advertising or direct mail. Look back at your target market, if they are older, they may be more likely to be exposed to a direct mail piece or something on the radio.

If you have the time, use as many channels as you can for the best results.

5. Learn the basics of SEO

In this day and age, your website can be your number 1 salesperson. Bringing in inbound leads and nurturing them from there on is key because it requires less work on your part and those are “hotter” leads that actually came looking for you.

In order to come up higher in a Google search, you must learn a little about SEO. Do some research and find 2-3 things you can do to enhance this part of your business.

Things like these will help your website rank higher:

• updating your website often, possibly with a blog
• registering on Google local business
• Having a Google+ page for your business

6. Create your own proposal

What would you want to see if you had hired a marketing firm? Take the time to actually write out a proposal with a time line. If you are going to blog and maintain social media platforms, make a schedule. If you are going to develop e-mail or direct marketing campaigns, make a time line to have the done and sent by.

Doing this will not only allow you to set marketing goals, but it will help to motivate you to stay on track and actually implement them.