Blog Archive ? Social Media for the Small Biz | Ajax Union | Internet ...

Small businesses can?t compete with the likes of General Motors, Gap or Staples. When it comes to local business success, however, small businesses can hop on one bandwagon that leaves Fortune 500 companies scratching their heads: the social media bandwagon. In fact, a recent studyreveals that small businesses benefit more from social media than their larger, wealthier counterparts. These statements come from the mouths of small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs themselves. In the 2011 study, they call social media a ?primary tool? when it comes to marketing strategies.

But why is social media such a critical tool for small business owners? Social media lend credibility and authenticity to any small business. When a big corporation utilizes social media, that corporate feel remains. But when a small business uses social media, web surfers get a sense of the business owners personality and a more intimate connection results. It?s the achievement of the mom-and-pop-store feeling, without ever stepping foot in a store, or meeting mom and pop. Plus social media is DIY and inexpensive.

Small business owners boast the following about the benefits of social media; benefits their larger peers don?t experience:

  • New partnerships
  • Increased leads
  • Improved sale numbers
  • Lower marketing costs

Small business owners also noted, however, that it takes time to perfect social media strategies. What are the best ways to use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogging? The business owners with more experience see the most results.Furthermore, DIY social media marketers need to commit a solid chunk of time to establishing a social media strategy and sticking with it. Those who spend at least six hours per week on online marketing techniques saw twice the leads generated than those who spend less than six hours. In short, when it comes to social media marketing, you reap what you sow. It?s like farming success.

Source: http://www.ajaxunion.com/2011/09/social-media-for-the-small-biz/

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