Best Practices

• Don't post purely promotional messages about upcoming sales and discounts: connect with customers by adding value to their online experience. You are an expert on tires and can use your page as a tool to educate consumers on tire safety, maintenance and factors to consider when buying as well as product tips. Customers buy from those they trust and view as knowledgeable. Use social networks to connect, not merely to advertise.
• Encourage membership on your social media network by offering those customers special discounts and promotions valid only to customers who are Facebook Fans or followers on Twitter.
• Get the word out about your social network pages by linking to them on your primary website, mentioning them in your traditional advertising, passing out flyers inviting customers to visit your page, and posting a small sign at the cash register with your sites.
• Encourage customers to ask questions or provide feedback on how you can improve your business. This transparency will resonate with customers and can lead to improvements in your business operation.
• Perform periodic contests with prizes (free oil change, alignment, vehicle inspection, etc.) that encourage customer participation.
• Don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results and followers: building an online presence takes time.
• View social networking as more than a means to generate sales leads: look at it also as a relationship builder. Customers buy products they understand and from businesses they trust. These tools allow you to influence customers with your superior product knowledge and authentic interaction.