social networking for small business

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Social Networking for Small Businesses Nate Towne (@Fancy_Lad) [email protected]

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A presentation to provide small businesses with basic information about using social media to network and grow/promote the business.

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Page 1: Social Networking for Small Business

Social Networking for Small Businesses

Nate Towne (@Fancy_Lad)[email protected]

Page 2: Social Networking for Small Business

What IS Social Media?

A medium for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social media uses web-based technologies to

turn communication into interactive dialogues.

Page 3: Social Networking for Small Business

Social Search & Marketing

• Google Places – start here and work your way

Page 4: Social Networking for Small Business

Social Media Networks

Page 5: Social Networking for Small Business

Facebook

Setting up a free Facebook account for yourself and creating a page for your business is a good way to enter the social networking space. You

can announce new product features and events, post pictures, and communicate directly to your fans. These people have

essentially "opted in" to receive messages from your company.

Page 6: Social Networking for Small Business

Twitter

To set up a free Twitter account, go to twitter.com, create a username and password, and begin finding people to follow – including your competition. A message sent via Twitter

is called a “tweet.” (Isn’t that sweet?)

Page 7: Social Networking for Small Business

LinkedIn

Establishing a LinkedIn account for yourself is a great way to network with like-minded

business peers in your area and nationwide. LinkedIn can help you find business partners, vendors and resources to help your business.

Page 8: Social Networking for Small Business

Blogging

• What’s a blog?• Is blogging right for you?• Quality, not quantity.• Promote your blog through social media– Facebook– Twitter– LinkedIn

Page 9: Social Networking for Small Business

Social Search & Marketing

• Geolocation Marketing– Have you heard of foursquare?– If your location is retail-based, consider it.– Yelp!

Page 10: Social Networking for Small Business

Consider Going Mobile

• Tablets and smart phones– Can function as credit card scanners– Can manage inventory– Can help you connect with customers on the go– Can let you quickly capture and share images,

news, product issues • They’re tax deductable too!

Page 11: Social Networking for Small Business

Social Media Management

• Social media *isn’t* free – it takes TIME• You need to invest in social media – it’s not a

cosmic cash machine (yet)• Baby steps! Start small and build as you can• Use tools like Hootsuite to be more efficient• Don’t pay an “expert” – do your own research

Page 12: Social Networking for Small Business

Measure, Measure, Measure

• It’s not just about “likes” and traffic• Measure what REALLY matters to your biz• What are you learning from social?– What do your customers really want? Ask!– What is your competition doing? Spy!– What are others in your industry doing that you

can take and make your own? Research!

Page 13: Social Networking for Small Business

5 Social Networking Tips

1. It is important for you to locate where your customers are most likely to congregate online.

2. Set aside a certain amount of time every day for social media activities.

3. Don’t pretend to be something you are not.4. Become an online expert in your field by dispensing

advice and playing a valuable role in online communities.

5. Listening is perhaps the most important part of social media.

Page 14: Social Networking for Small Business

Thanks!

• Resources– http://mashable.com/business/small-business– http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/socialmediaf

orbusiness.pdf– http://www.madisonsmc.org