Social media marketing is a new field of endeavor for many business owners, especially those with a bricks and mortar store. Having a web page and claiming their business through Facebook is often as far they go.

If you’re involved with social media marketing, who are you telling? You can work long and hard on some social sites but at the end of the day, have very little in the way of local contacts to show for your troubles. I am not suggesting you stop working at gaining new contacts and promoting your business, but there can be easier ways to build numbers.

Are you promoting your social media presence offline in your business? This may sound like a waste of time,  but after all, they are already your customers. The question is, what is going to work in your favour? They are your customers and if they are repeat customers, they must be happy with your products and services. Why not capitalize on this relationship and ask them to join you online.

There are several ways you can prompt them. A sign inside your business displaying where you can be found online often works. Printing up small flyers that you can include with their purchase or mailed out bill is another suggestion. If you are willing to do the work, get your customers to fill out a survey and ask them which social media sites they prefer and whether or not they are willing to be added to your list of contacts – if they are, don’t forget to get their details so you can find them.

You have the perfect base of contacts in front of you everyday. By adding your business to their list of contacts you are making yourself available to their list. Chances are, if asked, your customer will recommend you and they will add you as well – every new person added is potentially a new customer. You will be surprised at how quickly you can grow your social media marketing contacts list using this method. You don’t need to work harder – just a little smarter.