Small Business Social Media Marketing Strategies in the Retail Industry
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Mew, Mari E.
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Muhammad, Beverly C.
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Walden University
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2020
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
158
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
D.B.A.
Body granting the degree
Walden University
Text preceding or following the note
2020
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Many small business owners lack social media marketing (SMM) strategies to generate sales growth. Small business owners are concerned with increasing sales growth to ensure sustainability. Grounded in Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore SMM strategies some small business owners in the women's retail apparel industry use to generate growth in sales. The participants comprised 3 small business owners in the women's retail apparel industry in South Carolina with successful experience using SMM strategies to generate sales growth. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, archival organizational documentation, and physical artifacts. Yin's 5-step analysis process guided the data analysis. The following 3 themes emerged: social media platforms, the SMM impact, and customer relationship management. A key recommendation is for small business owners to use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram social media platforms to reach customers and receive immediate feedback. The implications for positive social change include the potential for business owners to increase their ability to implement SMM campaigns to generate sales growth. Higher sales may lead to more profit, which could be used to make donations to community-based social programs.