Social Media networks such as Facebook and Twitter are no longer just a tool to keep in touch with our social contacts. They are now becoming a tool for businesses to keep in contact directly with their customers. Some small businesses are flourishing by properly utilizing social media to connect with their customers.

It used to be that we logged onto our social networks to check our friend\’s status, look at photos from a relative\’s holiday party or maybe we want to connect with some old friends. That is simply not the case anymore, there is so much more that is happening with social media and businesses would be missing out on this opportunity if they did not take advantage of it.

So what is so great about social media channels for small businesses?

It allows you to directly communicate with your customers and potential customers Social media networks like facebook and twitter offer a direct link between companies and customers. Customers want to talk to the companies they are buying from; they want to get to know more about them and yet all companies seem to want to do is decrease customer communication (see: automated phone menus). If you are able to make your potential customers feel comfortable with your products, services and presentations, they will be more inclined to do business with you. It is amazing how much you can learn by actually communicating with your customers and listening to what they want and need. Isn’t that what this game is all about anyway? Trying to figure out what customers want?

It is another way to build your company brand

Social media is a great way to get people talking about you and your brand. The more people discuss your brand, the more brand building you do. The more exposure you grab from networks like social media, the more recognizable you will become and people will want to do business with you. It also helps your brand to become more human and less corporate, which can help smaller businesses grab some of the spotlight.

It is a great compliment to other forms of online marketing

Social media is also a great supplement to an SEO campaign or pay per click marketing campaign. The more marketing you do the better and it is a great way to make your online marketing campaigns work in harmony. You can create backlinks to and from your social media campaign and build importance for your site.

It looks cool

Never underestimate the power of presentation and looking like you are up on the trends. A business that keeps up with the trends is a business that looks like they take pride in what they do, from top to bottom. Presentation is EVERYTHING. If you and your competitor are offering the same service at the same price, your presentation will make or break the deal. People recognize facebook and twitter logos, and how you look and present yourself will help you stand out from your competition.

Author Bio: John Ferrughelli is the founder and president of Potenture, a professional website design and SEO company. His company specializes in SEO, Pay per click marketing, website design and social media marketing.

Category: Internet
Keywords: social media, facebook, twitter