Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1127356
M any of MBAKS' nearly 2,800 member companies are small, family-owned outfits With limited resources, it's easy for small businesses to push social media aside or ignore it entirely But before you decide to forego this powerful tool, consider the following reasons for investing time and resources in developing and maintaining social media channels JOIN THE CONVERSATION Whether you're present or not, there's a larger conversation happening on social media People are looking up companies they're interested in, writing reviews, asking for recommendations from friends, and interacting with companies they do business with If you don't establish and maintain a social media presence, you are missing out on the conversation entirely and thus missing an important opportunity to interact with current and If you're not on social media, you are invisible to a significant segment of the market. future customers You may even be unwittingly sending a signal that your company is less legitimate than competitors with an active social media presence! CATER TO YOUR AUDIENCE The National Association of Realtors released a report this year showing 26% of homebuyers are 29 to 38 years old—the largest segment of homebuyers today These older millennials are notable for their online shopping and researching habits According to Realtor Magazine, "social media will continue to influence millennials' homebuying habits… This generation relies heavily on online reviews and social media presence to make purchasing decisions " If your company is not on social media, you are missing out on reaching a major demographic segment while they shop for and compare home services BE PART OF THE GREATER PICTURE What social media priority outranks birth announcements, new job announcements, and even new car purchases? Announcing a new home The MReport says 53% of millennials announce this milestone via social media Besides pictures of their new home, many buyers will include the name of their real estate agent, the company they worked with, and even their lender in the online announcement These names are often "tags" that link directly to a business page It's common for these new homeowners to continue to share stories about their home, including pictures of renovations, new exterior paint, landscaping projects, and more (oftentimes tagging the company that completed the work!) Take advantage of this organic marketing by making the time to build a social media presence for your business! BY CAIA CALDWELL PUBLIC RELATIONS & MEDIA MANAGER MBAKS Why Should Your Business Be on Social Media? 13 SUMMER 2019 master builder membership value