How do you feel about a business with facebook? (or other social media)

[Gnome Rage]

as a consumer or a business owner?

I keep trying to get my boss to put the shop on facebook, because we don't have a website and our business is MOSTLY seasonal out of state people.

I feel like giving them a way to see new stuff we get, keep in contact, might increase our shipping orders and help us through the winter. We sold one item yesterday, a $25 dollar pair of earmuffs... I just think it would really benefit our ability to work with customers, draw them in, show them new stuff we buy--but I think there are concerns about using social media because you have to "keep up with it"

any thoughts?

[Ker_Thwap]

If it's the only web resource, it's horrible. I find it annoying as hell, when I want to get some information about a business, and all I see is some Mickey Mouse facebook page, where I have to hunt for pertinent information. Try looking at some facebook pages of competitors.

The few small business facebook pages I've seen, seem to have an initial flurry of activity, then a sad decline, which kind of makes me think that this business is failing.

The one large corporate facebook page I've seen was an airline, and I thought it was kind of presumptuous of them to assume that I'm a friend. I don't want a friend relationship with my airline, I want a business relationship and professionalism. I want a legitimate complaint department where someone is authorized to correct my complaint. I want an unaffiliated site to leave positive or negative reviews at.

In short, I find very little function in the ones I've seen, but I can't say I've made a study of them.

[Fallen]

I think Facebook should be integrated into a stand-alone business webpage.

[Gnome Rage]

He has intentions of having a website, owns a domain but I don't know when he is going to supposedly do this. I feel like having something is better than nothing but I don't really know

[Tenlaar]

Fuck facebook. I hope it dies in a fire.

[Atlanteax]

If a business has a Facebook page, my first impression would be more cynical.

[Gnome Rage]

Ooookay. Maybe not then

[Allereli]

Ooookay. Maybe not then

is he really your audience for a fashion boutique? you said you dress up the mannequins, those would be great to use as FB updates to keep people interested.

[Gnome Rage]

is he really your audience for a fashion boutique? you said you dress up the mannequins, those would be great to use as FB updates to keep people interested.

The audience is more or less people who are older with a lot of expendable income. Idk how much fb will help with that group, but people ask if we have anything online and we don't, so I feel like fb is easy and user friendly and familiar

[Ker_Thwap]

https://www.facebook.com/artisansnewlondon

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Huberts-of-New-London/157656000934821

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisanns/156668997706436

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lemon-Twist-Shop/259832414112981

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Serendipity-Boutique/141260547396?rf=566429783455804

These are the old lady boutique stores in my town. Two of them seem active. Two are kind of lame, and give basic information as well as a listing of their competitors below that FB slapped in there. Not sure that's a good idea. One is out of business. I have zero idea if FB drives any actual commerce to them or not, but the old ladies at least seem capable of hitting the like button.

Call the active two and ask them, maybe your business can be FB friend old lady boutiques.

[Latrinsorm]

As a good and faithful consumer-citizen, I recommend it, though I recommend Twitter instead of Facebook.

[Warriorbird]

Twitter > Facebook in general.

[Gnome Rage]

I don't like twitter.

[Warriorbird]

I don't like twitter.

I don't use it myself. It's just more used for stuff like fashion these days.

[Gnome Rage]

Mostly, I want a place where our email and phone number are clearly listed, a thing that I can update with new inventory, and post things like "CLOSING EARLY ON THIS DAY"

[JackWhisper]

Even if your website's homepage has your schedule clearly posted, like so:

WE ARE CLOSING EARLY TODAY

There will still be a random idiot who comes up banging on the glass door after hours like a fuckbobble and bitches about it to you the next time they're in there.

[Latrinsorm]

I don't like twitter.
Mostly, I want a place where our email and phone number are clearly listed, a thing that I can update with new inventory, and post things like "CLOSING EARLY ON THIS DAY"In my experience, Twitter is better for what you want and has a more professional reputation.

[kutter]

Got to Wix and build a quick and dirty webpage for him, it is free, let him see it. They can host your domain, the pricing is reasonable, if you go the pay option there are no ads. I built one for a Doc's office I was a rad tech at since they did not have one and I am off the opinion that EVERY business needs an online presence in this day and age. They actually had two business' in the same building, while the Doc's office only saw a small response to it, the Occupational Health side exploded. If I go looking for a business and it does not have a website, it is highly likely I will not ever give them any of my money.

[Gnome Rage]

Got to Wix and build a quick and dirty webpage for him, it is free, let him see it. They can host your domain, the pricing is reasonable, if you go the pay option there are no ads. I built one for a Doc's office I was a rad tech at since they did not have one and I am off the opinion that EVERY business needs an online presence in this day and age. They actually had two business' in the same building, while the Doc's office only saw a small response to it, the Occupational Health side exploded. If I go looking for a business and it does not have a website, it is highly likely I will not ever give them any of my money.

I basically said I would do this and he shot me down.

[kutter]

Then he is a dinosaur, you cannot help people like that, they are content in their place in the world and cannot recognize that the new reality is that you must have a digital presence to be as competitive as possible.

[Warriorbird]

I basically said I would do this and he shot me down.

Even my soon to be ninety year old Grandpa has a web page. It looks very 1990s (and he wrote some of it) but he has it. Your boss has to understand that this is a possible extension of his business. He'd be daft not to. It's like the guy in "The Paradise" who didn't want to put up advertising for his fashion boutique... during the Victorian Era.

[Tisket]

It's like the guy in "The Paradise" who didn't want to put up advertising for his fashion boutique... during the Victorian Era.

I love that show.

[Gelston]

Facebook only is fine for a small business. Especially a locally owned bar or coffee shop. If you are something more though, probably should have your own website.

[Gnome Rage]

Facebook only is fine for a small business. Especially a locally owned bar or coffee shop. If you are something more though, probably should have your own website.
The coffee place has a website and a facebook, this is for the retail store that I work in -- but it is a very small locally done business. He has a second store about an hr away that is run by someone else (which is where I originally worked like a year ago) and THAT place has a website and a facebook that was set up by the other guy. IDK why he can't just dooo it.

[Warriorbird]

I love that show.

It was fun. I found it when my girlfriend had the flu and she said "Find me a show with dresses in it!"

[JackWhisper]

As terribly blasé as this is, you should make your boss watch this youtube video. It properly explains how sad his dinosaur behavior is about the internet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1Y5iXoUJo

[Gnome Rage]

Its not like he doesn't recognize the need for it, but he doesn't want to deal with managing it in any way. I keep trying to explain that, at least with facebook and I'm sure there is some add-on for websites, that you can pre-load posts for the week--say on a sunday evening--and then you don't really need to deal with it for the week unless someone were to ask a question or something. It could be linked with his personal facebook (not public but behind-the-scenes) so he can see the notifications with ease. I've already made a mock-up facebook with photos and stuff, but it isn't public. I'm waiting on agreement. He is also doing his own stuff on the side, being a landlord and he's in two bands--so he's just this kinda scattered guy that doesn't want to add another thing to his plate.

But, I think ultimately the lack of web presence hurts our sales. We've had people ask about online sites, and online ordering, or at least viewing stock online to order via phone. I think the store is missing a really big chunk of possible customers too. He brings in these very youthful items, like wide leg flare yoga pants for the people that visit for yoga seminars during the summer, but I know that girls in my age group would buy those--if they knew they were there--if they had some way of viewing what we have, seeing us as something other than an older lady purse store.

I dunno.
frustrating.

[Androidpk]

Wide leg flare???

[JackWhisper]

It's like bellbottom jeans except the flare is only on the outside of the pant leg.... I think.

Edit: Googled. They're bellbottom jeans at mid-calf and down. BAM!

[Androidpk]

Weird.

[Gnome Rage]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjJs6cIkD0xXVmeaIBtWw6xW2SmlJ w1_RZ4hua-hOkOkcw_dFcgHSEO6okJNL-y8HGrdvTdIVn&usqp=CAE

Like this, but ours are black with beige tye-dye at the very bottom and nowhere else..

[Tisket]

God I love those sooo fucking much.

edit: not the ones she describes, although those might be awesome too. No I mean the ones pictured.

[Ker_Thwap]

Suggest that you'll run the page for a mere 50% of the additional profits over last years sales.

[Latrinsorm]

Its not like he doesn't recognize the need for it, but he doesn't want to deal with managing it in any way. I keep trying to explain that, at least with facebook and I'm sure there is some add-on for websites, that you can pre-load posts for the week--say on a sunday evening--and then you don't really need to deal with it for the week unless someone were to ask a question or something. It could be linked with his personal facebook (not public but behind-the-scenes) so he can see the notifications with ease. I've already made a mock-up facebook with photos and stuff, but it isn't public. I'm waiting on agreement. He is also doing his own stuff on the side, being a landlord and he's in two bands--so he's just this kinda scattered guy that doesn't want to add another thing to his plate.

But, I think ultimately the lack of web presence hurts our sales. We've had people ask about online sites, and online ordering, or at least viewing stock online to order via phone. I think the store is missing a really big chunk of possible customers too. He brings in these very youthful items, like wide leg flare yoga pants for the people that visit for yoga seminars during the summer, but I know that girls in my age group would buy those--if they knew they were there--if they had some way of viewing what we have, seeing us as something other than an older lady purse store.

I dunno.
frustrating.Uh, dude. Tell him you'll do it for a pay raise and new title. "Digital Asset Manager" or "Vice President of Social Media" or something.

[Gnome Rage]

God I love those sooo fucking much.

edit: not the ones she describes, although those might be awesome too. No I mean the ones pictured.I just sold the ones I described


hahah

[Androidpk]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjJs6cIkD0xXVmeaIBtWw6xW2SmlJ w1_RZ4hua-hOkOkcw_dFcgHSEO6okJNL-y8HGrdvTdIVn&usqp=CAE

Like this, but ours are black with beige tye-dye at the very bottom and nowhere else..

They look dangerous to walk in.

[Gnome Rage]

No more dangerous than a long skirt.

[Androidpk]

I'll take your word for that.

[Gnome Rage]

I'll take your word for that.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Jh4YC6PcL.jpg

My generation wore these... sooo.,

[Androidpk]

Uhhh.. uhhh.. wut???

[Allereli]

Uhhh.. uhhh.. wut???

she did a lot of X

[Latrinsorm]

(beans, ecstasy)

[Fallen]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Jh4YC6PcL.jpg

My generation wore these... sooo.,

They look like some fashionista in GS altered a pair of fireman's pants.

[Gnome Rage]

she did a lot of X
lololol. I've never done it, BUT I've worn those pants sooooo...

[Androidpk]

lololol. I've never done it, BUT I've worn those pants sooooo...


@_@

[Fallen]

@_@

^

[Allereli]

lololol. I've never done it, BUT I've worn those pants sooooo...

did you suck on a pacifier, too? when I saw people do that I knew that scene was not for me.

[Latrinsorm]

http://media.giphy.com/media/WFR7k3YGpAUPm/giphy.gif

[Fallen]

Is that samurai jack?

[Gnome Rage]

did you suck on a pacifier, too? when I saw people do that I knew that scene was not for me.

I may or may not have had a dora the explorer pacifier when I was about 16, but I didn't even understand why people in that scene had them, now I do, and I kinda facepalm at myself.

[Thondalar]

I may or may not have had a dora the explorer pacifier when I was about 16, but I didn't even understand why people in that scene had them, now I do, and I kinda facepalm at myself.

Nothing to facepalm about...you tend to grind your teeth a lot while rolling, having something to help prevent that is just taking care of your oral health. If you're going to eat chemicals that destroy your brain and nervous system, might as well have good teeth, amirite?


Edit: As to the OP, though, I say fuck it. Anything you can do to get your brand out there, especially if it's free, is a good thing. The more successful models generally offer something like special promos or discounts for liking them on FB or following them on twitter. With the interconnectedness of social media, it can be a great source of relatively free advertising. A good friend of mine owns his own AC installation/service company, and we were shooting the shit about this very topic at the bar the other day. He said his business has almost doubled since he started using FB and Twitter to offer promos and special deals.

[Gnome Rage]

But I NEVER DID THAT I JUST THOUGHT I WAS COOL.

That is why its facepalm.

[Thondalar]

But I NEVER DID THAT I JUST THOUGHT I WAS COOL.

That is why its facepalm.

Oh, right...well, in that case, let the facepalming commence.

[Whirlin]

I may or may not have had a dora the explorer pacifier when I was about 16, but I didn't even understand why people in that scene had them, now I do, and I kinda facepalm at myself.
Sounds like someone has quite the oral fixation.

[Androidpk]

Weirdbutt indeed.

[JackWhisper]

When I saw those jeans, and the word fashionista...I thought of one thing.

Holy shit, Fleurs tried to bring cargo pants to Elanthia.

[Gelston]

You people like some ugly shit.

[Androidpk]

You people like some ugly shit.

That's why we all like you.

[Gelston]

That's why we all like you.

I found a picture of you.

http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/28400000/Stick-Stickly-in-a-Tux-the-90s-are-all-that-28486963-503-374.jpg

[Androidpk]

Please don't post my picture.

[Gnome Rage]

I never said I currently wore these items.

Just, clarifying.

[Androidpk]

I saw you wearing those pants a few years ago.

[Gnome Rage]

Slander and lies

[Warriorbird]

Nothing to facepalm about...you tend to grind your teeth a lot while rolling, having something to help prevent that is just taking care of your oral health. If you're going to eat chemicals that destroy your brain and nervous system, might as well have good teeth, amirite?

Thondalar = secretly Gucci Mane.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW7dJDuJQKc

[Candor]

Real businesses have real websites.

[JackWhisper]

I saw you wearing those pants a few years ago.

He sees you, baby! Wearin' them pants! Wearin' them pants! Wearin' them pants!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Literally heard PK singing like an idiot in my head.

[Androidpk]

He sees you, baby! Wearin' them pants! Wearin' them pants! Wearin' them pants!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Literally heard PK singing like an idiot in my head.

You are an idiot.

[JackWhisper]

You are an idiot.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB6bk5S2_Zc

[Atlanteax]

Got to Wix and build a quick and dirty webpage for him, it is free, let him see it. They can host your domain, the pricing is reasonable, if you go the pay option there are no ads. I built one for a Doc's office I was a rad tech at since they did not have one and I am off the opinion that EVERY business needs an online presence in this day and age. They actually had two business' in the same building, while the Doc's office only saw a small response to it, the Occupational Health side exploded. If I go looking for a business and it does not have a website, it is highly likely I will not ever give them any of my money.


I basically said I would do this and he shot me down.


Then he is a dinosaur, you cannot help people like that, they are content in their place in the world and cannot recognize that the new reality is that you must have a digital presence to be as competitive as possible.

GR, take the initiative and do this anyways. Have it 'finished' (with just a bit more polishing to do) and do a pseudo presentation.

He likes it, you ideally get more $$$

If he does not, it is a learning experience for you to apply to future opportunities in marketing.

[Latrinsorm]

Is that samurai jack?:yes:
Real businesses have real websites.:no:

Websites don't have time stamps, you have to navigate to it on its own browser page instead of via twitter/facebook or via app. You can have a real website too, just don't expect it to have anywhere near the same reach. People have social media up all the time. You can get them when they're not thinking about you, and you can even get them when they've never heard of you via promoted ads. Your own page only matters when people already know you and decide to think about you.

[Latrinsorm]

GR, take the initiative and do this anyways. Have it 'finished' (with just a bit more polishing to do) and do a pseudo presentation.

He likes it, you ideally get more $$$

If he does not, it is a learning experience for you to apply to future opportunities in marketing.For serious.

[Gnome Rage]

For serious.

:| I already did that with the facebook that he seems mega uninterested in. I could make a WIX page, but I don't really know if I want to put in that effort since i'm already looking at a raise in two or so months.

lol

[Atlanteax]

:| I already did that with the facebook that he seems mega uninterested in. I could make a WIX page, but I don't really know if I want to put in that effort since i'm already looking at a raise in two or so months.

lol

Consider it 'professional development' and do it for that purpose.

[Latrinsorm]

:| I already did that with the facebook that he seems mega uninterested in. I could make a WIX page, but I don't really know if I want to put in that effort since i'm already looking at a raise in two or so months.

lolFacebook blows, do a twitter!!!

[AnticorRifling]

:| I already did that with the facebook that he seems mega uninterested in. I could make a WIX page, but I don't really know if I want to put in that effort since i'm already looking at a raise in two or so months.

lol

That's the spirit....