Episode 284: Why You Might Not Be Getting Return On Your Social Media Investment

Do you ever find yourself posting on social media wondering "Is this really worth it?" Is it really worth your time and effort posting, in hopes you will get growth for your business? Does social media really work? I am here to tell you, yes, it is and does.. if you're doing it right! Social media gives a 360 view of a company and helps consumers decide if this is the company for them. This week I dish out some serious statistics to help unvail the importance of social media, and how you should, correctly be using it. Biggest Takeaways: Have you ever been on social media and seen a post asking for 'recommendations'? That is because according to Forbes, a whopping 81% of purchasing decisions are influenced by friends' social media posts! People not only want convenience and familiarity when choosing a company to purchase from or work with, but they want social proof that this company is who they say they are. Social media gives a glance into what a company does and how they do it. And if you are using your social media correctly, you are engaging and enticing customers, giving them the reassurance they need to work with you. Learn this week why social media is really worth it, and how to ensure you are doing things correctly. Links: Better Marketing With Bella Instagram Episode 120: Relationship Marketing & Buyer Personas With Jessika Phillips Jump Consulting  Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Let's Connect Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Transcript: This is episode 284 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump! Have you ever just wondered if all of your efforts on social media are worth it? You’re posting and tagging and putting up stories and making reels, but you ask yourself, “Does this even actually make any difference in my business?” Today, we’re going to dive right into that. I’ve gotten not just one, not two, but at least three emails this month where people have said, “My gosh, Bella, I just don’t know if the ROI—return on investment—of social media is actually worth it.” And guys, I’m here to tell you—it is. I’m going to refrain from talking about myself building almost a half-million-dollar coaching company purely on social media. I’m going to refrain from mentioning the speaking gigs I’ve landed or the travel I’ve been able to do because of social media. And I’ll even refrain from mentioning that I’ve built a podcast approaching 300 episodes just from social media—because I know that I am not you, and you are not me. So instead, I’m going to break it down for you step by step. Social media and online presence shorten the customer journey. Social media amplifies the impact of social proof through word of mouth. As I record this, I’m doing part of it live on my Instagram account—instagram.com/bellavasta—and there are seven people watching right now. That’s more enticing than if there were just one. And if there were 200, you’d be wondering, “What am I missing out on?” Social media does help. Think back to when you were searching for a restaurant, a housekeeper, or a resort. You didn’t just trust the website—you went to social media. You wanted to see behind-the-scenes photos, real-time content, and authentic posts. If you’re like me, you also click “Recent” on Instagram to see what others are posting about that location to get a feel for the vibe. Social media offers a 360-degree view of a company. Most of the time, our clients won’t say, “I saw you on Facebook” or “I found you on Instagram.” It’s not how they communicate. But it does influence their buying decisions—massively. According to Forbes, 81% of consumers’ purchasing decisions are influenced by their friends’ social media posts. Sixty-six percent of consumers have been inspired to purchase from a brand after seeing user-generated social media images. And 71% are more likely to make purchases based on social media referrals. Here’s how it works. People first become aware of you. Maybe they see your vet tag you, or they notice a collaboration. Then they find you when they need your service—say, a dog walker or pet sitter. When they Google, they recognize your name: “Oh, I’ve seen them everywhere.” That familiarity builds trust. Then they do research—like “How much does a dog walker cost in Scottsdale?” And if you’re a longtime Jumper, you probably have a blog about exactly that because we’ve been telling you to write those for years. Finally, they make the purchase or conversion. This is why asking, “How did you hear about us?” is an outdated question. No one says, “I saw your post and hired you.” It’s never that linear. You’re selling peace of mind, trust, and security. No one sees a cute pet picture and instantly hires a pet sitter. So when people say, “Bella, I don’t see the ROI for social media,” here’s the truth: When people find you, they’re looking at your social media for social proof. They want to see that you’re doing what you say you do—that you’re active, consistent, and trustworthy. A feed full of random dog faces means nothing if it’s not their dog. When your content has a mix of graphics and personality, your social proof skyrockets. Social media builds trust. It’s proof that you are who you say you are. If your last post was months ago or your feed is just shared content, it doesn’t inspire confidence. That’s why social media absolutely influences buying decisions. But there’s a catch: if your feed isn’t “popping” or up-to-date, you shouldn’t be sending people there from your website. It’ll hurt you more than help. That’s where Better Marketing with Bella comes in. We give you everything you need: Two email templates per month A detailed content calendar Descriptions for each post At least eight (usually ten) branded graphics Four square videos A Facebook cover image Group coaching calls A one-on-one coaching session with me And we even include bonuses. This year, instead of gifts like selfie lights and tripods, we decided to give real, practical bonuses. In the first month, we trained our clients’ social media managers and VAs—gave them downloads, prompts, and structure so they weren’t just button-pushers. Because step one is posting. Step two is outreach. That means collaboration, engagement, and building relationships—online and offline. You should be commenting on local pet lovers’ posts, engaging with other pet owners, and collaborating with nearby businesses. It only takes ten minutes a day—and it can easily be systemized so your VA or office manager can do it. Social media can absolutely get you clients. But it’s not “A equals B.” It’s more like “A through Z equals money.” And if you’re not making Reels yet—you’re falling behind. Seriously. You’re not relevant without video. My Jumpers are out there making Reels, doing stories, sending video replies in DMs—and they’re landing clients because of it. Some of their clients even left for competitors and then came back because they connected with their personality. That’s what social media does—it builds emotional connections. You can start conversations in DMs without selling. Just talk to people. Engage with their posts. Relationships come first. Better Marketing with Bella isn’t just about giving you content—it’s about teaching you to use it strategically. I teach you to be a sniper on social—not someone wasting hundreds of random posts hoping one hits. If you could invest ten minutes a day, five days a week, and know exactly what to do—how much would that change your business? That’s what this program gives you. Go to jumpconsulting.net/marketing and see if it excites you. DM me for a special listener deal. Because social media isn’t a standalone tool—it’s part of a larger ecosystem. Think about it. Back in the day, someone might’ve seen you in the newspaper, then on a friend’s Facebook post, then Googled you, and finally called. It took multiple touchpoints. People need to see your business around 10–11 times before it registers—and by 20 times, it feels familiar. It’s never a one-hit wonder. Consistency builds trust. You must show leadership online. Be interesting. Engage. Build community. No one wants to be the sleazy salesperson—but ignoring social media is even worse. Social media is networking in today’s world. If your feed isn’t active or professional, you’re losing opportunities. And remember—the algorithm favors video. Your social media can absolutely bring you clients. You just need the right strategy. Go to jumpconsulting.net/marketing to join Better Marketing with Bella. Doors are open for a limited time. You can commit for six or twelve months. The longer the term, the better the deal. If you’ve been wanting to work with me and wondering how, this is your chance. I started Better Marketing with Bella in 2017 after selling my company in 2016. It’s a labor of love because I truly adore helping small businesses grow through social media. We hire professional designers, craft the content with care, and back it up with years of strategy. So yes—this is me pitching you. But if you’re ready to take action,