There are many ways to gain more customers. Applying a new marketing strategy can affect the health of your business, in a positive or a negative way. However, if you don't take any risks, you'll stay right where you are and never reach your full potential. What if I say you can advertise your message on a large scale for almost no cost? Let us discover why you should take advantage of social media marketing today.

Quick 2019 Facts About Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is a great tool for free online advertisement on a large scale to showcase your work for others to see. That reason alone should convince you to at least try it.

For those who need more convincing, just look at the current facts. 7 out of 10 Americans feel more confident about a company if it has a social media presence. They spend 2 hours per day on social media, learning more about their loved ones, but about their favourite brands too.

Let’s not forget about the power of online reviews!

How can you benefit from a strong social media presence?

Being present and advertising on social media provides you with several advantages:

• Get brand recognition and increased visibility
• Build better relationships with current and potential clients
• Be more reachable and stay on top of your customer’s mind
• Understand your customers and gain more loyalty
• Create beneficial connections

In fact, 1 in 4 users are following brands on social media from which they might make a purchase.

Overall, you’ll win more jobs!

Blu 60, Villagio and Squadra patio brought to life by Premier Outdoor Living

Many social media platforms exist in 2019. Which one should you choose?

Techo-Bloc is active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest and YouTube.

If you currently have no social media accounts, we recommend focusing at first on Facebook and Instagram. After cementing your presence on both platforms, explore the others. Being present on many platforms will provide your potential clients with more ways to reach you.

Facebook adds as much credibility as your website. As homeowners surf your page, they might leave a nice review, which provides as much impact as a personal recommendation. They also want to view pictures of your projects to have a clear idea of what you can build for them.

Instagram is the best platform for pictures, and since we are in a visual business, it’s important to use it. Homeowners go on this platform to get inspiration for their projects, so your best pictures need to be seen by them. Hashtags also make it easier for you to gain more followers, thus more visibility, and your clients will engage more with your posts than on any other social media site.

Instagram Stories are also a great way to showcase what you do every day for storytelling purposes.

Furthermore, Facebook’s popularity can’t be matched, even to this day. Instagram is not too far behind.

Ok, that’s cool. How do you get on Facebook and Instagram? 

Step 1: Create a business page

First, you need a website. Check out my article about Understanding the Digital Marketing Landscape - Everything a Hardscaper Should Know for more information on how to get it done and other digital marketing initiatives.

Next, create a business page on Facebook and on Instagram.

On Facebook, it’s important to fill out the about section with your contact information, address, hours and availability. It’s also a great place to add one or two Call-to-action.

Populate photo galleries to showcase your work. Show homeowners how great their landscaping project can look.

Pictures should also be posted on Instagram.

Here’s a few social media marketing tips for your Instagram business page:

• Put your logo as a profile picture
• Put your company name as the username so people can find you easily
• As a bio, describe what services you provide and add contact information (website, email, phone number, etc.)
• Add a call-to-action

Don’t forget to add links to your social media pages on your website.

Step 2: Post engaging content

How can you create good content?

• Ask questions to generate engagement
• Post project pictures and videos
• Use Insta-Stories (500 million daily active users watch stories as of January 2019)
• Post Before and Afters
• Post time-lapses
• Promote events
• Follow influencers and tag them in your posts
• Get inspiration by searching hashtags
• Give installation tips
• Talk about new trends and industry changes

Choose what your followers want to learn about and see!

Step 3: Gain a following

How can you build an online community (gain a following)?

The secret is to keep your followers interested by:

• Thanking them
• Engaging with them
• Following them
• Add a location and hashtags in your project picture (79% more engagement for a geolocated post, and 6% more engagement with only one hashtag)
• Post unique content

It’s not always easy to select the best hashtags to use, so here are a few examples:

• #contractorsofinsta
• #buildersofinsta
• #Richmond (picture location)
• #pavers (product category)
• #pavingstones
• #ASLA2018 (event)
• #hardscapes
• #hardscapebrotherhood 
• #hardscapedesign
• #outdoorliving
• #backyard
• #backyardgoals 
• #patio
• #patiodesign
• #concrete
• #concretedesign 
• #landscape
• #landscapearchitect 
• #landscapedesign
• #dreambackyards
• #housegoals
• #design
• #designer
• #whyihardscape
• #hardscape
• #hardscapelife 

If you receive a bad comment on one of your posts, you should always either answer on the post, answer in a private message or tag your local Techo-Bloc sales representative and ask for his/her help. React professionally, but never ignore!

Houzz

Houzz is a lot like Instagram, so it is important to mention it. A lot of homeowners visit this platform.

Tons of users browse Houzz not only to find inspiration, but also to find the right contractor for the job based on their work samples.

Make sure to complete your contractor profile, and post your top projects. If you get reviews, you must answer them.

Consider enrolling in Houzz pro as well.

Summary

It takes time and practice to master social media marketing.

You might not see the impact of your post right away. However, the more you develop habits to post every day and the more you evaluate what works and what doesn’t, you will eventually start seeing results. Your influence will grow.

Focus on engaging and inspirational content that conveys a good emotion, while respecting your brand image.  We recommend avoiding controversial topics and defamatory posts.

When your audience engages with you, treat them as you would treat a family member. Show them and make them feel that you genuinely care when they have an issue and help them find a solution. Your engagement must portray this care, in every comment you make.

You might be fine with your current situation, but for those of you who wish to take the next step, Techo-Bloc is here to help. Book a social media marketing training with your local Techo-Bloc sales representative today.

READY FOR THE NEXT STEP? BECOME ONE OF OUR PRE-SELECTED PARTNERS NOW!