Small Business Trends

Far from a fad, a new blogging and social media infrastructure has emerged and is still being built and becoming a part of the new hierarchy can be important to your small business success. Does your business have a blog, a Facebook or Twitter presence, a LinkedIn profile? The growing influence of blogging and social media not only with customers and potential partners but also within the worlds of traditional media, government and big business are undeniable. Here is what your small to medium sized business should know about the new direction.

Intro

Social media is nothing new. Only the velocity has changed. So says social media and blogging guru Chris Brogan in an interview with Hilz Fuld after brushing off a question on social media’s supposed fad status. Chris’s belief? That Twitter, Facebook and blogging are no different than the telephone or the mail delivered to your door. The only difference may be the delivery method. How does this change how you think of social media and blogging for your business? Tech ‘N Marketing

Stats, ROI and case studies if you want ‘em. In a talk at the Web 2.0 Expo embedded in the post above, Chris Brogan shares his personal collection of online info on the case studies for social media effectiveness “for those of you who still need training wheels.” His personal opinion? You shouldn’t need these numbers because you can’t innovate unless you go where no one else has been. This means nobody (including your competition) has assembled enough stats to know what works and what doesn’t. Chris Brogan’s Delicious Case Studies

Old vs. New

Why traditional media doesn’t get new media. Traditional media titan Larry King admits, as he prepares for retirement in December that he just doesn’t get new media. Still apparently many others in his age group do. For those using social media including blogging for their business efforts this may be proof that effectiveness of social media tools has less to do with demographics than a way of thinking. On which side of the divide are you and your business? Technorati

Bloggers and social media gain access over traditional press at Clinton event. Though initially reported that live blogging and social media use would be prohibited at a keynote address by former President Bill Clinton at salesforce.com’s annual Dreamforce cloud computing convention it now seems bloggers and social media users will be allowed to cover the event live while it remains closed press for traditional media, true evidence that the influence of the new media is being felt, a tool your business can harness today. PRNewser

Tips and Stats

Using Twitter to benefit your business blog. There are Twitter users and there are bloggers. Like everything else in the universe, different approaches often render different results but, as it turns out, the greatest results for your small to medium sized business may come from using the two together. An unbeatable combination. A Belle, a Bean and a Chicago Dog

Blogging and social media statistics you should know. It’s no secret that blogging and now social media have become an incredible force on the Internet and in society at large. But what about your business? What kind of audience can you rally reach with your blog and what demographic? Who’s out there reading and are they really possible prospects for your products or services. Though first published back in July, this post contains critical information on social media and blogging and the kind of audience they reach that is just as relevant today and just as impossible to ignore. Sam’s Web Guide

Strategy

Your business needs social media and blogging. You can learn a lot from the way fortune 500 companies are using blogging an social media. You can learn a lot because it is wrong, wrong, wrong! While plenty of big firms have quickly jumped on the Twitter or Facebook bandwagon an amazing number still fail to embrace blogging and the branding power it provides in any meaningful way. Imagine the opportunities this creates for SMBs ready to step forward with a blogging presence of their own. Daily Dose

How to create content for blogs and social media. Three bloggers and social content creators describe why they blog and give some tips on content in this panel discussion. Notice in each case creation of content is developed around a passion or brand that sets its author apart. What topics could you use to establish a brand for your small business? What are your passions or areas of expertise in which you could set your business apart. Successful and Outstanding Bloggers

Management

Is your social media policy really legal? Companies worried about online reputation and what their employees may be saying about them outside the work environment have been aggressive about drawing up social media policies in order to govern what is said on sites like Facebook or Twitter outside work. But before you implement such a policy better check with an attorney first to find out whether it’s worth the paper it’s printed on. Brand & Capture

Building your audience with social media. Much more than simply another channel to get your message to possible prospects, social media like the popular social bookmarking sites are also effective for building an audience for blogs and other content by allowing you to build a large community of likeminded connections and then sharing your content with them. Build your networks with care and you can create a ready market for your blog. HHME Marketing & PR