WSET.com - ABC13Local Businesses 'Like' Social Media

Local Businesses 'Like' Social Media

Reporter: Rachel Schaerr | Videographer: Ira Quillen

Lynchburg, VA -. Social media is paying off for small businesses in our area in a big way as owners tweet, "like" and blog all the way to the bank

A recent survey found that 81% of small businesses use social media, and it's going up every day. When you know how to interact with customers the right way, experts say it can really pay off.

Tapping into social media was an easy transition for the owner of the Good Cherry.

"As a coffee shop, you strive to be that place--the place people go to hang out," said owner Rebecca Skeen.

Coupons, giveaways and loyalty rewards have been driving customers to their Facebook page for the last four years. Skeen says the idea is simple.

"When people know what our soup is today, we sell more soup," she explained.

The owner of Meineke Service Center in Forest is still learning how to maneuver his Facebook page. But he says since setting one up last week, new customers have been trickling in.

"We're gonna offer some different free services, gift card, free alignment, free oil change," said Barrie Buck of the special offers. "Hopefully, people will 'like' us."

Vice president of Blair Media Josh Quintero says the key is knowing how to talk to customers using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

He says local restaurants like Robin Alexander, the Muse Coffee Shop and the Good Cherry are doing a good job of interacting with customers, instead of listing business hours and upcoming specials. A website that's mobile-friendly is also important.

"Social Media is piggybacking on the mobile revolution," Quintero explains.

As social media websites continue to gain popularity, a businesses's reputation will rely less by word of mouth and more on the tap of a finger or click of a mouse.

There are even free websites, like marketing.grader.com, that will track how many page views your company receives and compare them to your competitor's website.