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Embracing social media Jason Cupp said it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the social media options available to businesses, so here are his tips for embracing it without getting lost in the social media sea. Choose one or two: Don’t do everything because you’ll never keep up. Instead, be fully committed to only one or two social media platforms. Be patient: It takes time to build followers so don’t get discouraged in the early stages. It’s a long-term plan. Deliver value: Don’t sell on your social media sites. Instead, use them as a platform to deliver valuable content to your customers and audience. Build relationships: This is a chance to build genuine relationships because they are interacting with you. It’s not robots or computers that are responding to posts — people, so take the time to get to know people and nurture those relationships. Let them see the real you and your business. People like to do business with people they like, so show them you’re likeable. Be real: In your efforts to build relationships, don’t be fake just to make people like you. Eventually they’ll see through it, so be sure to be genuine. Be consistent: Try having a daily routine so people can come to know when you’ll respond and when you’ll be interacting with them. Maybe have a plant of the week or a daily horticulture tip, anything to give them consistency but also the value you need to deliver. |
Do networking groups, client-appreciation parties, referrals, peer groups and the chamber of commerce work anymore?
It’s a question Jason Cupp challenged the audience with at the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in January. And the answer could be debatable. Some may argue that the tried and true methods of earning new contacts and business is the way to go, but Cupp spoke about the benefits of social media and how investing in these methods could pay much larger dividends.
He first spoke of the benefits of Facebook advertising because it’s: a targeted geography, demographic specific, budget-driven, effective, focused and only as good as your website. Facebook advertising also has a different pricing structure than traditional advertising in that it uses a pay-per-click and pay-per-million-impressions model.
For example, he gave an example of a Facebook ad that generated 1,889 clicks, which led to 2.8 million impressions. So the advertiser spent $816.69, but it generated $80,000 in sales.
“Put a small budget to it, and see what you get — you might be surprised,” Cupp says.
He also encouraged attendees to embrace using an iPad or other tablet to enhance your sales presentations and capabilities.
“Photos, music and video tell our story in the green industry,” he says.
Be sure to showcase your work — show the products you’ve produced and shipped. If you know where your products end up after you sell them or your customer sells them, show the gardens and how they look using your products. Show a time-lapsed video of the plants growing in your greenhouse. You can also use the tablet to showcase your certifications, affiliations, memberships and any special training you’ve received. It’s also an opportunity to pull up your website or your online catalog or show them a special customers-only section of your site, if you have one.
By showing a potential client your products in this way, it’s going to impress them, and, ultimateily, you’ll set yourself apart from the competition.
Jason Cupp is a former CEO and now works as a Kolbe-certified growth consultant, team builder and motivational speaker.
For more: Jason Cupp, www.jasoncupp.com
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