Facebook and Instagram’s Ciaran Quilty explains why the festive season is a great opportunity for small businesses to think about expansion.
This festive season is an exciting time for small businesses – UK shoppers are expected to spend £2.5bn more than last Christmas, reaching a total of £73bn in the final two months of the year.
With that in mind, below are five tips to help your business shine this festive season.
1) Be where customers are – on mobile
Businesses are going mobile, with this year seeing more festive season shopping being done on smartphones than ever before. In fact, 62 per cent of consumers report using their digital devices more than previous years to research gifts, and 60 per cent claimed to buy more often from smartphones and tablets. So the good news for small businesses: If you have a smartphone, or the likes of a Facebook Page or Instagram account, you have a mobile marketing strategy. Through the Ad Manger app on Facebook or Business Tools on Instagram, you can create ads right from your phone. If your customers are on mobile, then your business must be as well.
2) Bring the in-store experience to life online
With new video tools like Live on Facebook and Stories on Instagram, taking a bricks and mortar business online is simpler and more powerful than ever. Third party research predicted that 75 per cent of all data will be video by 2020. People expect experiences that are authentic – and the festive season is a perfect time for connection and new beginnings. Some 2m small businesses on Facebook already use video to connect with customers via phone, and over 100m people use Instagram Stories every day.
@larssonjennings, a Swiss-made watch brand, is using Instagram Stories to showcase new products and recently unveiled its AW16 collection in a preview, highlighting favourite features, colours and details. And Kay’s Designer Consignment in Florida has done a great job showcasing her new products using Facebook Live, and interacts with customers as they view and ask questions.
3) Create thumb-stopping creative
Video, Live and Instagram Stories are just some of the many ways a business can easily become more engaging (especially for sales). When it comes to telling the story of your business or selling a product, remember to show, not tell. With creative apps like Instagram’s Hyperlapse and Boomerang, great natural light, a simple tripod, and festive season backdrops, you can turn any space into a creative studio.
Read full article at http://realbusiness.co.uk/business-growth/2016/12/12/small-firm-growth-festive-season/
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