Make Business Building Social

It seems like all the news is about business on the global level, so it seems tough to decide how to help you find local businesses. But just like global enterprises, smaller businesses can harness the power of the internet. And for free.

How? Social media. It’s free to join in the social media fray. Yes, we’re talking about sites and services like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Classmates.com and for professionals, LinkedIn. Just like all business tools, you must learn how to use social media effectively.

Join & Grow
First, if you’re not already involved in a social media site, get on one, fast. Create your profile and establish a network of contacts. People you already know are certainly a part of whichever site you’ve joined. Start looking for them.

You have friends, family, colleagues, professional contacts and former college, high school and grammar school classmates. Go through the names on your company holiday greeting card list, as well as your personal list. Most social media sites allow members to upload their email contact lists. Voila, instant network.

Most of them are indulging in some sort of social media venue. Get them in your network and catch up. That freckle-faced girl who sat behind you in high school science class might soon be looking to find local businesses just like yours. If not, when her co-worker is, she’s sure to mention that a person she went to school with is in just your line of work. You just never know.

First, Observe—Then, Reach Out
Now that you’ve got a network established, watch how those people are using the social media venue. Contribute to the conversation before plugging your local business. When you do bring it up, make sure you don’t risk alienating the very people you are trying to reach.

Here’s an example: a circle of high school classmates reunites online. The guy who now owns a local appliance store occasionally talks about his business, but mostly sticks to ‘what a great vacation we just had’ and ‘my kids just did this’ type small talk. When a new energy efficient appliance rebate program starts, he mentions his store is participating. He reminds his network of his store’s name and location. Later in the week, he offers thanks. He sold $100,000 worth of inventory in two days. Now that’s business growth, more than the entire two months sales combined. Why? Because his social media announcement about the rebate plan encouraged his contacts came in to his store to buy instead of going to the local big box store…and just as importantly, they sent their contacts in.

That is how social media works to help people find local businesses.

By: Frank I. Locust

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