What is SoLoMo and Why Do I Need It?

If you haven’t yet incorporated the concept of SoLoMo, (social, local, mobile) it’s high time to get connected and realize exactly how and why this is a most important direction for your small business to embrace.

So what is SoLoMo and why do you need it?

The melding of these three distinct technologies was bound to happen. As mobile devices get more and more sophisticated, letting geo-location services to track every move, it was only a small step into empowering businesses to send notifications to nearby customers. Research conducted recently by the Pew Internet & American Life Project reveals that around 74 percent of smartphone users use them to get information, and approximately 18 percent are using them to check in on local businesses with services like Foursquare. This has led to both an opportunity and a challenge. A growing number of mobile users are searching for local products and services, and if your company is not using its social media to connect and draw these individuals who are out there roaming the streets seeking something to do, eat or buy. It’s your job to make sure they find you before they find someone else!

3 Ways to engage with SoLoMo

• Use social media – By utilizing social media such as Facebook, Twitter and others to interact with and inform your customers and prospects, you’ve found a most effective and inexpensive way to build relationship and energize your brand at the same time.
• Optimize your local presence – Ensure that your small business is optimized in local search directories that are applicable, and you are actively catering to local business in your marketing.
• Spend some on mobile marketing – Mobile ads are returning very good ROIs, since most users who are searching local are out there searching for it in the field. Also, some local advertising methods are cheap or free, such as check in deal on Facebook or FourSquare.

A great example of SoLoMo in action is exemplified by Walgreens. Checking in with Foursquare gives their customers coupons and a whole lot more! SoLoMo isn’t going to do anything but expand exponentially, so take the time to make sure your small business is all set for it!