Graphic Arts Magazine March 2018 | Page 34

Column Social media checklist for printers John Foley, Jr. The times they are a-changin’, and social media is no longer just for the trendy kids or the twenty-something web-entrepreneurs. Social media has become an important tool for all businesses, including print service providers. In a fast-paced world, social media is where customers and businesses congregate to get information, forge connections, and decide whether or not to do busi- ness with the companies they find there. Your customers are on social media right now. If you're not, you're mis- sing out on valuable business opportunities. There's no doubt about it: it's time for you to get social or risk losing out to those who already have. Don’t believe me? Well believe it! In a 2014 infographic that my team put together, we shared that Twitter’s fastest growing age demographic is 55-64 years old, and that 81% of LinkedIn users belong to at least one group. Three years later, social media users continue to increase across multiple demograph- ics and platforms. Back then the tide was rising and now, social media for businesses and printers is here to stay. The proof is in the numbers; PSPs need to be active on social media. To make the most of your social media presence, tick the following items off your social media checklist: ✓ Go where your customers are. Start searching online and find out where your potential customers tend to congregate. LinkedIn? Twitter? Facebook? Instagram? Snapchat? Google+? Dedicated communities? Pick two or three that are most popular with your market, and start by focusing there. You don’t want to spread yourself too thin, trying to tackle all platforms, and so it’s important to focus mostly on where your custom- ers are. ✓ Make your profile professional. Your profil