Mabry shares social media tips for businesses

Laura Mabry knows what it takes to help businesses be successful using social media.

Mabry shared those techniques with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night.

Mabry, former managing editor of the Danville Commercial-News who has worked in marketing and public relations since 2008, is a communications partner for Carle.

Mabry shared with those at the Chamber of Commerce Banquet her Top 10 for driving business with Facebook.

Mabry stressed the importance of being consistent with a businesses’ social media presence.

“Under- and over-engagement can be the biggest pitfalls,” she said. “If you have a Facebook page, but aren’t active, some potential customers won’t even give you a chance.”

Mabry said businesses can also post too often, which makes the posts less valuable with the algorithms Facebook uses.

Mabry said over-engagement can also happen when customers share about negative experiences on social media. Mabry recommends business owners be kind and brief online before taking the conversation offline.

That allows the conversation to move forward without inviting additional comments and/or appearing defensive.

Mabry also recommended that businesses get personal with customers and allow them to see that the businesses are more than their product or service—they are part of the community which makes local businesses more appealing than national businesses.

“It’s all about helping customers get to know you, like you and want to spend their time and money with you,” she said. “And generating word-of-mouth support, which can translate to more business and less ad spending.”