The social medial websites are very helpful to small businesses. These sites provide free and unique platform for businesses to promote their products and services, create brand awareness, provide information on deals and help reach target markets. Here are some of the most popular social media sites and what they can do to your business:
Facebook. Facebook has more than 800 million users all over the world. This is the most popular social networking site. It is even more popular than search engine Google. It will be unwise not to exploit the extreme popularity of Facebook in business.
Facebook is a great way to drive traffic to the company’s website. It is an effective way of creating brand awareness and attracting new customers. The sheer number of Facebook users makes it also easy to target the business’ demographics. Engaging or interacting with other Facebook users is the most important thing to keep in mind when using this social media.
Twitter. This social media site has more than 300 million users worldwide. It is a microblogging site where the company can post updates in a 140-character limit.
Twitter is a broadcast platform that enables businesses to provide information to customers on a regular basis. It is important to post several times a day to be able to remain visible. Tweeting something relevant and of value to your clients and potential clients will greatly help in promoting the business. Twitter is more suitable for making announcements rather than interaction.
LinkedIN. LinkedIn has announced in March 2011 that they have more than 100 million registered users worldwide. Each week an additional 1 million new users register in the site.
LinkedIn is great for companies because they provide a page for Company Products and Services. This allows businesses to post images and videos of products and services including pictures of customers recommending them. Not only that, the page also provides a link to where they can buy your products or avail of your services. The page is also accessible to millions of LinkedIn users worldwide, providing the company a free platform to promote their brand.
Foursquare. This is a location based social media that allows users to post their current location by checking in using a text application or a Smartphone. The gaming element of this social media makes it very popular as the user gains points every time he checks in at different locations. Foursquare has more than 15 million users to date.
Foursquare is vital for location based marketing. Set up your Foursquare account then run specials and deals as a reward to mayor and the customers. Attract more customers to your deals. Use of Foursquare is totally free of charge. All you need to spend on is the deal itself.
Pinterest. This is the latest addition to the social media scene. It is a new website with more than 5 million users. The goal of Pinterest is sharing pictures.
Pinterest provides businesses the tools to connect with their target market and expand their business reach online. The business needs to create a Board on a particular topic for instance, wedding or vacation. Pictures that pertain to this topic are then pinned to the board. Other “pinners” can see the images you posted and can “repin” your image so their followers can see it too. To market the business, the company can post pictures of their products and services.
