We’ve all heard about how important social media can be for our small businesses. But how many of us still are using this incredible tool in the most effective way possible? Here’s our report on the state of small business social media today. Have an important point? Leave it in the comments below.
Where Things Stand
47 percent of SMB’s still don’t use it. Look, no one says social media is a magic bullet. If your business is doing just fine and growing by leaps and bounds on its own with an organic, inexpensive method of marketing already built in , maybe you don’t need social media. But otherwise, why would you say no to the cheapest most powerful kind of marketing today for your business? Small Business Trends
Why social media can benefit small business specifically. Businesses of all sizes are on Facebook and Twitter these days trying to get their brand noticed in the new space, but a new study suggests that when it comes to social media, smaller companies may seriously have the edge. Here’s a deeper look. The Globe and Mail
Managing Social Media
Take the bitter with the sweet. With all the positives use of social media can offer your business, some negatives also may arise, but even these can be good reasons to stay engaged and involved. Negative and potentially damaging messages can also get out about your business and this information can do even greater harm if you do not make efforts to detect and counteract it. CNNMoney
But where do you find the time? Yes, social media can be a drain. It takes time and effort to engage thoughtfully and monitor social media channels responding appropriately to questions and concerns while building your brand. And all of this while trying to find the time to run your business as well. Business2Community
Tips for Getting Started
The one job you can’t delegate? In what is certainly likely to be the most controversial post to be found here, author and entrepreneur Penelope Strunk suggests that social media is the one job you can’t give to someone else. Check out the link above for her reasons. Do you agree? BNET
So how do you get things started? You know social media is important for your business. But how do you get started, and what are the most important steps your company can take to start making social networks work for you? Here’s a step by step guide on how to implement a basic social networking effort from the e-commerce industry. zippycart
The Cutting Edge
What will the next chapter in social media be? Well, perhaps not too surprisingly, it is likely to come from an already experienced social media development team but is still largely under wraps. Some speculate that productivity will definitely be a theme. But could that mean for the small business community? ZDNet
A Google Plus wish list: What would you include? Are you already using Google Plus for business? If so, how? If not, why not? Are there things you’d like to see that would improve Google’s foray into social media and improve your business as well? If so, what would they be? InformationWeek
A Last Review
Tips on managing your social media efforts. While social media may be needed to keep your company up and running, it should not consume all of your time. You’re busy and have other projects in your company you should be attending to. Here’s how to make sure things don’t get out of hand. Dynamic Business
Simple social media tips for any small business. In the end, let’s face facts. Your business needs to learn how to use social media effectively if you are to survive. So how do you get started and what steps does the average small business owner need to take to get into the game and start engaging customers? Looking Fit
Interesting article. I’ve been looking at trends in social media development lately, and this seems to hit it spot on. It’s true that it can be particularly helpful to small businesses; these days, when you want to know where to get a product locally, you don’t hit the phonebook anymore. You hit the Internet.