• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Columns

Understanding Social Media for Flooring Retailers

By Matthew Spieler
Matthew Spieler
October 6, 2015

I find it fascinating to listen to and read what other people have to say about social media, especially when they are trying to tell you why or why not it is something in which a business should invest any of its time and resources.

First, let me make it perfectly clear I’m by no means proclaiming myself as some sort of expert on how to use the growing number of social media platforms out there. I am saying that I do recognize when you truly understand what exactly social media is, you will understand as a businessperson—be it residential or commercial—why your company must be engaged in it.


If you break [social media] down to its most basic level by taking out all the technology and so forth, what you basically have is the modern day version of good old word of mouth—at least in a business sense.


Similar to how everyone is acting like LVT is some sort of wonderfully new product the way laminate truly was in the mid 1990s—when it fact it’s been around for at least 30 years if not longer by some standards—the same is true with social media.

Yes, the emergence of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, et al, have changed the entire landscape and definition of social media, but technically speaking it is something that has been around since man first began forming civilizations.

Just to get it out of the way, Webster’s defines social media as “forms of electronic communication (as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content.”

Now if you break that down to its most basic level by taking out all the technology and so forth, what you basically have is the modern day version of good old word of mouth—at least in a business sense. On the personal side, social media is an entirely different animal.

So if social media really is just taking word-of-mouth marketing and advertising to an entirely different level, why are so many retailers and contractors ignoring it, or not putting the effort into it as they would in asking for a referral or creating a beautiful marketing piece?

Yes, it can be intimidating, especially for those who were not born holding a smartphone. But the reality is that it’s not that difficult to master. And best of all, while there can be some costs involved depending on how involved you want to get, the biggest thing it takes for you to get your business involved in social media is time.

And nowadays, just as you would hire an agency to help with your advertising and marketing efforts, you could hire one to help build your social media presence. Or better yet, if you have mature kids, bring them in and ask them. Chances are they already know about the business.

If you happen to be an aligned dealer—be it a buying group, a mill or distributor—there is virtually no excuse not to be fully engaged in social media. These companies offer turnkey programs that help retailers achieve not only top rankings in the search engines, but more important bring in consumers who are actively engaged with their sites. As a result, when it comes time for them to purchase flooring, they are going to the store which they not only read good things about (from people they often don’t know, by the way) but already have a relationship with.

Social media has always been here; it’s just now in a different form. Life came long before the Internet—it is the successful retailer who embraces both that wins.

KEYWORDS: market trends Social media

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Matthew spieler 200px
Matthew Spieler is the former editor of Floor Trends.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Flooring Installation
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

More Videos

Popular Stories

AHF Products CEO Brent Emore

AHF Products Names Brent Emore CEO

NFM Kansas City Anso Gallery

Nebraska Furniture Mart's Second Anso Gallery Brings Collaborative Retail Model to Kansas City

balancing resource planning and budget control

How to Choose an Outsource Estimating Service That Aligns with Your Flooring Business


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Investing in your Business

What's Your Top Business Investment Priority for 2025?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • Instant connectivity

    The Reality of Social Media for Flooring Retailers

    See More
  • Feature Image

    Who in Flooring Has Time For Social Media? You Do

    See More
  • chatbots

    What's on the Horizon for Social Media Marketing

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • ceramic art tile.jpg

    Ceramic Art Tile for the Home

See More Products
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP