Answering the question, 'Do I really need to use social media to market my business?'

I could just say YES...and move on.

Most social media pro's work from a place where they can't even imagine having to answer this question. 

Honestly, I get it. There are SO MANY reasons why a business owner might be avoiding social media. Running a business amid post-pandemic times, is fricking HARD! I do have to say though, that The Yellow Pages Method is something I've used with clients since way before Covid was a thing or we had even considered what the next few decades might mean for our businesses. Now that Covid, we've made it through Covid, both personally and business-wise, I feel it's more important than ever to introduce people to a simpler way of marketing their businesses.

Who am I talking to? I know that every business owner can benefit from learning The Yellow Pages Method. You most likely fit into one of these three categories:

• You currently use social media channels to market your business. Chances are you have been overwhelmed at the thought of all you have to do in in life. For you, the method can be a way to become more intentional and minimalistic in your efforts.
• You know you need to use social media channels to market your business, but don't know where to start. The method will quickly point you in the right direction to get started.
• You question whether and/or why you even need to have business social media at all. The method will show you why and get you started without taking much time at all.
• 
  

As a social media pro, I answer the initial question with, "YES - and...." Then I explain why every business needs a social media presence but not all businesses need to adhere to a detailed posting strategy. Many businesses can survive and use social media to grow without spending much time at all working on it.

That brings us to The Yellow Pages Method. You remember the Yellow Pages, right? You might even still have a copy lying around. It's that section of the phone book, or maybe an entire thick book of its own, full of ads for local businesses. These ads give you the name of a business, a short list of services provided and a way to contact the business. 

In The Yellow Pages Method, we think of social media channels just like a Yellow Pages ad. If you were in business in the 80's and 90's (maybe even a few years after), you would want to be listed in the Yellow Pages. Why? Because that's how people found your business before everyone carried a super computer in their pocket. Need a plumber? Look them up in the Plumbing section. Looking for a new logo? Graphic designers will be listed in their own section. Hungry? Pizza sounds great and restaurants are listed in their section, divided by the type of food they serve. You get the picture.

Today people want information RIGHT NOW! That means, they grab their phones and search. They don't run home or to the nearest phone booth to search the Yellow Pages. Many of them head to their favorite social media channel. Did you know that it's common for people to use a social media channel to search for a business? 

That's why I want to encourage you to give social media marketing a try. I promise to make it as simple as possible and help you see your profiles on social media channels as Yellow Pages ads. When people search and find your business on their favorite channel, they'll get the same information as if you had an one of those spiffy Yellow Pages ads - your business name, services, how to contact you, your location, hours, maybe a special deal. 

Everyone is on social media, your business should be too!

The Yellow Pages Method will work for you no matter your channel(s) of choice. Be it Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, YouTube or even the new Threads, the method will help people find your business.

Keeping things simple by claiming your business name and completing the bio section on all the social platforms where your target audience hangs out will increase the odds that people searching for your business will find it.

Marketing is all about getting the word out to as many people in your target audience as possible. Using social media will help. And this method will help you make quick work of the basics. If you feel like you're up to speed, I suggest taking a look at your social bios and making sure their optimized.

If you think you need some help, you've come to the right place. This post is the first in a series on The Yellow Pages Method, stay tuned for the next parts for tips on filling out your social bios so they're more likely to show up in searches.