Social Media use by small businesses in the United States jumped from 12 percent to 24 percent last year. Half of the 500 owners surveyed, however, say it’s taking more time than expected to use Social Media effectively.*
According to the study:
- 45% believe that social media will pay off financially within the next 12 months.
- 75% have a company page on a social network site
- 61% use social media to attract new customers
If you’ve run out of hours in your day to incorporate Social Media, step back and decide what’s most important. Follow my three tips and in just over an hour a day, you’ll be able to bring your business into Social Media.
1. Consider a blog as your Social Media home base.
Time Commitment: 4 hours weekly once it’s set up.
There are many platforms to choose from with Posterouus.com being the simplest to WordPress.org being the most customizable. Posting three times a week will dramatically increase your credibility and Internet visibility. Your business will rank higher in a Google search.
2. Become active on Facebook.
Time Commitment: 2 hours weekly.
Post a status update daily to engage your friends/readers. Join the discussion and add your comments. Consider a Fan Page for your business. Become a fan of other pages you like personally, as well as competitors and others in your industry and see how its done.
3. Get to know Twitter.
Time Commitment: 2 hours weekly.
While not seemingly as directly or as engaging, or as community/friend focused as Facebook, it has many valuable uses in your small business Social Media relationship toolkit. For example, it’s a great way to post deals or special offerings to customers.
Bottom Line: Save your time; don’t waste your resources in the wrong direction.
If you need help, just call us and we’ll talk Social Media with you.
*Survey is from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, December 2009.