11.16.2010

Identifying Social Media Resources within Your Small Business

Where will you find the resources to build a useful social media presence for your small business? Mike Maichele wondered the same thing when we first spoke about how he could use social media to grow his business. If you haven’t read about the seven steps we took to develop a social media presence for his small business, you can do so here.

Following are just a few resources you might have available to your small business that you might not have expected to see.

1. A genuine passion for your business – You’re probably not a spectacular writer but the words you share online come from a deep familiarity with your business and what drives you to make it grow. The passion you have for your work is a tremendous resource and will lead to greater payoffs in social media where a premium is put on authenticity.

2. Blurred lines between what is business and what is not – You may see your lack of work-life balance as something of a drawback but it may prove to be a great advantage as you take your business into social media. Your late-night email checking will drive your community forward as your responsiveness and availability encourages customers to reach out to you.

3. Relationships with customers that go beyond the cash register – All those customers you see outside your place of business and say hello to will form the foundation of your new social presence. They are the ones who already engage you in conversation offline and may already be your friend through your personal Facebook page. If you need to build up a new presence, start with them.

4. A need to drive revenue – Let’s face it. Times haven’t been easy in recent years and you’re ready to try just about anything to keep your business healthy or even bring it back to health. With a tactical investment in social media, you may drive a whole new flock of customers to your business or even discover a new way of doing business entirely.

5. Gadgetry like a Smartphone, laptop, and digital camera – You’ve already bought the gadgets. Now you can make them work overtime to help you grow your business. Taking photos, making videos, and sharing messages in real time can all happen through gadgets you likely have hanging around already. Mike Maichele picked up a Flipcam and Smartphone to simplify the multimedia messaging process for his business.

6. You’re already spending time on Facebook and Twitter – If you’re like most Americans, you’re already engaging in social media of some kind. That time you spend on Facebook and texting furiously to your fantasy football or community action committee pals is actually a resource that you could redirect toward a social media presence for your small business.

7. Your current marketing dollars aren’t working as hard as you’d like – No matter the size of your marketing budget, times are changing fast and it’s highly possible that your current marketing dollars aren’t doing what they used to. This isn’t a time to lament the consumer that got away. Rather, it’s an opportunity to explore how you can use social media to explore the new ways your customers are interested in engaging your business.

What would you add to this list? If you’ve gone through this process already with your small business, we’d love to read your thoughts as well!