Once upon a time it was only big organisations that were able to fully harness the power of the internet as a marketing tool, to analyse consumer behaviour and hog operational knowledge.
But today the rise of social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn has given SME’s a vital and cost effective way of attracting and interacting with their customers and sharing industry information.
Although recent research from o2 has indicated that small businesses are quickly jumping on the social media bandwagon, many SME’s are still debating its usefulness. But as something that is essentially free to adopt that requires little thought worth passing over?
Also, if we are to believe media analysts projections social media is here to stay and we will all be using smartphones and tablets in the future.
Twitter and Facebook accounts are an easy way to keep in touch with customers and keep them informed of your products or services. But using Twitter or Facebook is not just a way of plugging your business.
Social media should incorporate an interactive element which gives customers information they need and which is of interest to them. Used the right way it can promote brand loyalty that traditionally only big corporates with massive advertising spend could achieve.
Contrary to the belief that sharing information with industry contacts is a touch cloak-and-dagger, many respondents to the o2 survey say that being in touch with their competitors made them ‘more confident and aware’
Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can give SMEs a valuable insight into what people are saying about their company and their competitors. Whatever way you look at it, that’s market research that you’d be mad to dismiss.
If you are plugged into the social media landscape you get a chance to see how other businesses are using the medium, and you can gain inspiration or follow suit.
It’s also important to have you finger on the pulse with social media. Those who embraced the early potential of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn stole a march on their competitors by being aware of internet user trends, while those who continued to think MySpace was the way forward, including the likes of a certain Rupert Murdoch, found that the party had moved on. Thus, emerging and useful social media is worth keeping an eye out for.
Social media can also be useful for keeping in touch with others in your industry, clients and suppliers. Contrary to the belief that sharing information with industry contacts is a touch cloak-and-dagger, many respondents to the o2 survey say that being in touch with their competitors made them ‘more confident and aware’.
New businesses and start-ups in particular say that they found other businesses helpful and open to giving advice. LinkedIn has grown dramatically over the last few years and has allowed companies to develop specific industry networks to share information, discuss developments in their industries and recruit staff.
Still considering the value of social media?
