Partner Article

Increase sales through social media marketing

There’s no denying the impact that online and digital technology has had for small businesses in recent years.

The marketing possibilities of websites and social media have presented SMEs with countless possibilities to reach their target audiences, in most cases within a small-to-nothing budget, and at their own control.

One of the most prominent success stories of how social media can massively contribute to an increase in sales that we’ve seen is Shmoobamboo.com, an ecommerce site iprogress designed and developed which specialises in bespoke jewellery and hair accessories.

Having only recently started to promote its range of bridal hats and hair accessories on Facebook and Twitter, the company has had a fantastic response from buyers across the country, seeing a significant spike in sales over the past 12 months.

The fashion website, which specialises in quirky jewellery and hair accessories inspired by retro sweets and children’s toys, uses the platforms to reach its largely young female market and other potential customers with updates about its new products and ranges.

Without a large advertising budget to hand, the company took to social networking as a means of promotion for its products in front its customers. As a result, it’s had an encouragingly marked upturn in sales.

Owner Vicki Laycock said: “I started the business because I wanted a new and unique headpiece for my wedding two years ago and couldn’t find exactly what I had in mind so I made my own. “From there I let my imagination run riot and started designing pieces that were just good fun.

“But everyone who hopes to turn a hobby into a business encounters the same problem - people need access to what you make and marketing is expensive, unless it’s done by social media.”

Vicki found her first big break came when bloggers noticed some of her jewellery after she posted pictures on Twitter. Word spread quickly with successive re-tweets of the blog post until it reached the attention of a fashion editor of Fabulous magazine.

She said: “All of a sudden they were asking to use our jewellery as part of a fashion spread and the exposure brought about the busiest week we’ve ever had. I think that’s when it became clear to us that social media is such a powerful tool for a small business.

“Since then I’ve run promotions on Facebook which I’ve found have been incredibly popular - it’s surprising how many people will enter a draw for a prize and share links to your site as they do so.

“I’ve been promoting my new bridal range through Twitter and Facebook and have had a really good response to it, not just feedback from customers but offers from some high profile trade and vintage fairs to come along and showcase my designs, which is a brilliant opportunity.

“I’d advise anyone to use social media - but learn how to do it well, there is a sort of skill to it if you want to maximise its effectiveness for your business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by iprogress .