Using Social Media in Business

[matt819]

Are any small business owners using social media for business? Facebook, Twitter, Linked In.

My web designer repeatedly tells me to get with the program. I don't know that I buy it. Maybe it depends on the type of business. Maybe not. Maybe it works if you seek walk-in traffic. Or not.

The trade group for the industry I'm in is promoting it, but it seems to me that the diversity of businesses in this industry (doesn't matter what it is for the sake of this post) doesn't necessarily call for a uniformly "rah rah, get with it" use of these services. And a quick Google (and DU) search turns up blog entries and inquiries similar to mine from 2, 3, and more years ago.

Any thoughts? Success stories? Advice?

[NJCher]

1. I try to get interested in it, but I can't

I know a number of people with a Linked In page who have told me nothing's come of it. I'm sure there are ways to work it, though, and maybe these people haven't done so.

Really, I wish I could muster up some interest, but I can't even bring myself to sign in at Facebook. I, too, would like to hear if other people are experiencing any business with these methods and if they are, what are they doing to make it happen?


Cher

[taterguy]

2. Social Media doesn't exist, It's just a way employees can goof off on FB and claim they're 'working'

[matt819]

7. Granted

I'm sure the bulk of the half billion people on FB are doing just that. And large businesses who are exploiting these services have large staffs to do it. I'm talking about how small businesses use it to grow their businesses. If that's a pipe dream, or a mirage, fine. If there's a way to make it work, I'd sure be interested. We've all read the stories of the cupcake store that posted a deal on Groupon and sales shot into the millions, or whatever, overnight. But not all of us have a cupcake store, or are not in large cities, or who work out of our homes. We have out sweat, our reputation, word of mouth, etc. Can we, too, benefit from FB, Twitter, etc.?

[csziggy]

3. I'm not really using it but I signed up for Linked In in 2008

After the election was over one of the volunteers I worked with wanted me to sign up so she could keep in touch. I keep getting updates from her in Linked In emails so I think if I were interested in networking with her and other people it would be useful. I am basically retired so I am not that interested in networking with people on a professional basis.

What it seems to be good for is sending out periodic updates without being so much in your face as Facebook and Twitter. You can be completely passive and still hear from other people you've connected with.

[aikoaiko]

4. Yes. When Facebook opene up to everyone 5 years ago businesses started the pages

It can be done well and its cheap advertising. Buy some books and look for a good model.

I don't like twitter as a media.

[BR_Parkway]

5. I do consulting for small biz using Social Media - some can be helped

greatly with it, others a complete waste of time - what sort of business?

[Xithras]

6. Depends.

Does your business actually have anything interesting going on that people want to know about? If you actually want to keep your customers informed about updates, Facebook is FAR more effective than websites or email if you want to get them the information in a timely manner. But, if you don't have anything to push, nobody is going to care.

Here's a very real example of a way that a business can make it work: A short distance from me is a small restaraunt that does wine tasting. They change their special weekly, and frequently crack open bottles on random days for free tastings. I was talking to the owner once, and he told me that his visitors increased FIVE FOLD when he started posting his updates to FB. Instead of people having to wander in to see what's happening, they now get immediate updates when he posts "Hey, we'll be cracking open a case of 2008 Viognier from SuperNapaWinery tonight at 7. Free tastes, or $5 a glass!" Because he's regularly changing the wines and foods he's offering, FB offers a simple way to keep his customers up to date, and hopefully pull them in for another visit. Remember the old saying "Out of sight, out of mind"? Well, FB help to keep him in sight and on their minds.

The information is right there, on the customers Facebook. And remember that Facebook now gets more per-user facetime than any other site on the Internet. If you are selling things that people are interested in, and post updates regularly, your information will be right there whenever they check on their friends and family.

On edit: I just checked my Facebook. This shop just posted an ad today..."Happy Hour! Today -Thursday 4-6pm $2 off Appetizers and wines by the glass & $1 off beers!!"


On the other hand, if you're a plumber and your most exciting update is "I got a flat on the truck today", keeping up a Facebook page probably isn't the best use of your time.