Social Media for Small Business - Go For It!

While talking to a local business owner this month about the possibility of starting social media for his company, he said something I truly didn't think I'd hear anyone say, ever:  

"Actually, I just don't think the whole Facebook thing is for me. You know, my teenage kids are on it and i don't think it would set the right tone for our company."

First and foremost, I respect his thoughts and his decision to not use social media for his business. But I  can't help but feel a twinge of frustration when I know adding social media to his marketing repertoire would bring serious opportunities for growth, brand awareness, local participation and involvement and, let's be honest, bottom line sales. 

It's no surprise that many business owners are hesitant about social media. Let's face it, if you didn't grow up with it and you don't use it yourself, chances are it feels a bit foreign, maybe overwhelming, and more importantly pretty confusing. 

And all of those things can be true. but they don't have to be. 

In september of this year, Facebook reached 1 billion active users. Some people say that by 2015 Facebook will have taken over the world (ok, that last one may just a joke). But seriously - 1 billion users, and out of the 1 billion I'd bet that many of those are your customers, or could be your customers. 

You see, Facebook is becoming the place where people go to for recommendations, for local events, for information, to find good deals and sales.

It's not uncommon for my newsfeed to have several posts from friends that look like this:

"Anyone know of any good family-friendly events happening this weekend?'

or

"Where can I get some nice pumpkins and mums?"

or

"We just hired Joe Smith Remodelers to re-do our master bath - highly recommend them!"

When people are out and about they use their mobile phones and facebook to check-in to the place where they are. A status update might say, "filling our faces" at Village Street Pizza.

Having a social presence for your company or business, like Facebook, allows people to find you. to share your news, your events your brand with their friends and their friends' friends. 

Did you know you can advertise on Facebook too and target your audience down to things like age, sex, zip code, number of children, interests and hobbies? Yep, you got it. that means you can essentially customize who gets to see your ad, real people that in real life could become your next customer, your best word of mouth referrer and loyal fan.

So truly, there's no excuse. if you aren't familiar with social media or have no idea how to even begin, you're not alone. but there is help out there!

Whether you teach yourself, ask a friend or family member or hire someone like me, you need to do it.

remember when people thought the internet was just a fad?

yeah. well they said that about facebook, too.

Happy posting and Tweeting my friends!

Trust me, your business will thank you.

:)