Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn… these are the three standard channels we all think of when it comes to 
social media marketing. But they aren’t the only ones. There’s also Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and Pinterest (to name a few). Social media has a major force in marketing and communications – one that tax preparers should not be ignoring.
Beyond the most popular three, there are some channels growing in popularity that could be effective marketing tools for tax preparers. What better time to learn and test these tools than during the summer months when business is slower? No, we’re not going to try to sell you on Snapchat. We’re talking about Alignable and Nextdoor. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Alignable
Alignable is a networking platform for small businesses that focuses on building relationships locally. The platform goes beyond asking people for recommendations and connecting to other businesses. On Alignable you can:
- Ask questions
- Show off your expertise by answering questions
- Get and give recommendations
- Tell your story and explain your services
- Connect your Facebook page
- Rate the services you use
- Research other services like Mailchimp and Yelp by looking at their ratings
- Highlight upcoming events and promotions
The platform uses geolocation features to recommend other businesses in your neighborhood to connect with. Use these to find and recommend people you already do business with, and find new people to meet and network with online. It’s a great way to get to know the businesses around you and a great tool to help share your expertise or ask others for theirs.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a social network designed to connect you with your neighbors and community in order to build stronger, safer neighborhoods. It’s hyperlocal, and a great resource for communicating what’s happening (i.e. alerting people to a lost dog, a garage sale, a plant exchange, etc.).
Local businesses are just as important to the neighborhood as residents are so, in addition to having a personal account, you can claim your business. Once claimed, businesses can get recommendations, include information about their location and hours, and reply to comments and messages. Nextdoor doesn’t require as much attention as other platforms but is a passive way of getting referrals and recommendations from locals who love you.
Unlike other social media platforms, these two don’t require a constant need for writing posts. Claim your business on these channels and give them a whirl! If you’re already using them we’d love to hear what you think.