ForumsStarting a Business

How do small businesses use social networking.

Interesting question and YES to all 3 of your questions.

Good luck.

davidglenn33 - My answer to all three questions you posed is YES! We are a small business, fighting to compete with the bigger "dogs" in the industry who have been around and already made their namesake a household word. Business Networking of all kinds is the most cost-effective method we have found to get our name on the scoresheet as a viable competitor. Not only are we competing in the industry, but we're targeting a specific niche - the small business owner, which many in the web development industry do not target or specialize in. The state of Maine is comprised of many small businesses, a lot of them seasonal who rely VERY heavily on the tourism factor that Maine offers. We're small business focused because we're a small business and feel we have a lot to offer the small business community. Any time we get the chance to network socially, whether through online communities such as this, or at a physical networking event ... we take full advantage.

Interesting questions. I gather that you wanted a personal perspective rather than a view on what business owners in general might think, so that's what I'm offering.

+Do I see the value+? Yes, in two areas -- (1) social networking provides relationship-building opportunities that are essential to business success (in my view, my strongest competitors are less knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced than I, but they have more "connections" -- i.e., they are better relationship-builders); (2) social networking provides an insight into what people think, feel, and do (and I need that insight as a consultant, author, and trainer if I want to connect with people in an interesting or entertaining way, offer them information they didn't already have, and do something for them -- or inspire them to do something for themselves -- that wasn't happening before).

+Do I understand how it can be used for business+? Yes, as noted above, but on-line social networking is a rapidly emerging thing in many ways -- so I'm sure I don't understand all the possible ways it can or might be used.

+Do I understand the value proposition+? Partially, but it's too soon to measure all the variables. For example, I received an engagement last month from someone I met at a conference six years ago -- so by comparison, my on-line social networking efforts have not had much time to "pay off." Likewise, the costs associated with on-line social networking are still a question mark. When I meet people face-to-face, I can usually "size them up" fairly quickly and know if they are genuine. It takes more time and effort to meet the real person behind an on-line user name and profile -- so I might be employing some technologies and/or developing certain on-line relationships that ultimately have no business value whatsoever. I don't think so, but it's too soon to quantify for sure.

Hope that addresses your questions. Best wishes.

Hi David:

Great question and one I hear all the time. Small business owners KNOW they need to do something on the web - BUT what?

Here are my big 10 things to start:

1) Google Adwords - simple, fast and produce results quickly
2) Search Engine Optimization - definately is repeatable, measurable and predictable
3) Create simple lowcost videos - it's easy to do. Simply interview staff regarding what they do, have the founder talk about quality
4) Collect email addresses of ALL customers and develop an email "drip marketing" strategy to engage them
5) Use webcams to talk to clients. Heck they cost 19.95 and they are a fun way to communicate - your clients will love it
6) Yes, blog. It takes 10 minutes to set up. Have everyone in your company create a blog entry to spread the responsibility
7) Create a short whitepaper on why your product provides ROI
8) Drive your email marketing and whitepaper requests to monthly Webinars
9) Analyze your progress, just like you do your monthly P&L's. Use Google Analytics
10) Hold FUN contests. I almost cried I laughed so hard when I heard a guy got 5,000 people to dress up their vacuum cleaners and post the photos on his website. What can you do to get your customers to have fun with your products and or services.

And for a bonus, don't forget online communities. You can start an online community for your customers at ning.com in minutes. I've got a number of white papers on the subject, drop me an email! don@internetstrategiesgroup.com

Don Philabaum

Yes to all three. I have a hard time separating what I do in my business from all social aspects of my life as a lot of people I know socially I have met through my business.

Wow! Now we are talkin huh??!!

Earlier this month I posted a Topic called "Fire Your Web Guy.... or Gal..." something like that, I if I can remember correctly I tried to put some spotlights on this subject the power of "YOU INTERNET"

To answer the question before I start rambling on.... YES!!! It's not a matter of the importance of Social Networking - it really boils down to the Understanding of Social Networking. Fact is Social Networking is not really an option for the SBO, the truth however is that many SBO's are clueless about Social Networking, Web 2.0? WOW! Now we are pushing it. Like mentioned early on in this thread someone said... "Web 2.0 is a frame of mind..." or something like that. So teh hurdle - is getting SBO's to understand 1. The value of Social Networking and 2. Getting them to get in the right "mindset" (Web 2.0) to truly maximize this new communication format.

Being in the web industry for a loooong time I have seen a few milestones that are prophetic to the future of the Internet. In fact I am willing to bet that all of us have seen them BUT if we are not connected enough, the changes are happening around and under us without us fully being conscious of it ... Let's look at this small snippet...

1. Web was born.... Designed to connect "thinkers" all over the world - mainly Scientist...
2. Web was Commercialized and everybody wanted a .com
3. Traditional Designers went digital - Birth of the "Web Designer"

Side Bar: Nerds kept creating code to make the web a better place for the "non-social"

4. Dot Com bust - people where simply not ready
5. Small business owners (who had some dreams to fulfill) picked up the crumbs and started banging out sites... Literally millions of em...
6. Larger Corp kept their sites rolling along - needed em like they needed brochures and business cards...
7. A new generation started getting older - Generation Y <--- Born at a keyboard...
8. Designers started getting rattled - the Gen Y's started birthing "template sites" that undercut the web design guy...

Side Bar: Nerds kept creating code to make the web a better place for the Social... (remember Gen Y?)

9. The Nerds started taking over with Blogs - BUT the Nerds actually became the Coolest.... They could reach more people faster than ever before FOR FREE!!
10. The crowd above #7 ignored the "Bum Rush" of the Gen Y'ers
11. The new Email = SMS
12. The New Website = Blog
13. The New "eNewsletter" = RSS Feed

Ultimately the web started getting back to the grass roots and #1 has become a reality... Just now because of the various side bars along the way - we do it slicker than they ever imagined...

SO the SBO - If they do not change the mindset from "I Have a Beautiful Homepage" to... "I Am Present within 20 - 30 Social Networks..." they will start missing a whole new Generation of Buyer, potential Client.

Cheers!! Great Discussion!!

Vincent A. Hunt
Microbrandologist