Tech Tuesdays: 5+ social marketing start-up tips for your small business.
By Adam
July 13, 2010
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
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For those who still aren’t sold on the social media phenomenon, these and these numbers ought to get your attention, or at least give you pause:
- Social media adoption by small businesses doubled in 2009 from 12% to 24%.
- 59% of small businesses with a social media presence say it has provided value.
- 49% say their social media presence has produced advocates for their business.
- 65% say they actively use it for promotion.
- 1 in 5 small business owners are actively using social media, including blogs, Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.

So if you’re considering dipping your toe in the social media sea, here are 5 of 30 musts you might want to keep in mind from inc.com:
1. Pull back the curtain: “Offering a sneak preview of new products, services or features online can help build demand and provide critical feedback to help smooth the launch.”
2. Be candid: “In unsure economic times, transparency goes a long way toward retaining and attracting customers. Giving readers the scoop on your company blog is an easy way to keep the lines of communication open.”
3. Reward customer loyalty: “Sprinkles Cupcakes, in Beverly Hills, California, uses Twitter to send out daily promotional offers. The tweets, which ask customers to whisper a ‘password’ to receive a free treat, have helped the company draw more than 17,000 followers.”
4. See what they’re saying about you: “A quick search for mentions of your company on Facebook, Twitter and Yelp can yield a goldmine of information concerning your reputation.” The owner of one Chicago bookstore focused on improving customer service after reading comments online.
5. Help others promote you: “Social media can help you find passionate customers who are more than willing to spread the word about your company. Crafts supplies manufacturer Fiskars reached out to scrapbookers by inviting four avid users to blog. Its crafts community has since attracted 5,000 users who serve as brand evangelists.
You’ll find some additional small business social media tips here and here.
Have you already gone social? What advice can you offer?