Social Media in small businesses is becoming more common, many are aware of the potential benefits that can be developed. Many are still lagging behind as the recent survey by Citibank has portrayed (Reuters, 2009). 86% of small businesses in the US (under 100 employees) do not use social networking sites or do not find them useful in generating business leads or to expand business, can you believe that?! I sure can.
Small businesses that use social media correctly will be using it as a relationship marketing tool rather than a point of sale tool. To do this, it does take a considered effort and time to start creating the social networks that your business can benefit from. As within the physical world networks and relationships take time develop. Small businesses need to make time or hire SMO professionals to develop social media strategies that suit their business.
There are many social media outlets such as blogging, networking, and bookmarking. What is important is that a company does not get excited and start creating profiles all over the web and jump straight into writing a blog.
A business must get try and optimize the way they communicate their brands message through social media the first time. It is important that the message in which the company is communicating is integrated consistently with the current brand image and positioning. Social media has many mediums in which to communicate across; small businesses need to be made aware of how one should communicate consistently along these mediums.
