New business efforts have always been about creating awareness, making connections and capitalizing on referrals.
Social media's very existence is based on referrals, connections and awareness.
Put the two together and you've made magic.
- We all want to work with people we know, trust and like. Social media is the quickest way to give new customers a feel for what we're like, what we stand for and what it would be like to work with us – all on their time, at their convenience.
- With social media you can now economically create awareness for your business well beyond your physical location. Small, local businesses can truly build a national awareness. (If that's what you're after. If not, use it to reinforce your neighborhood, city, metro-area awareness)
- Managing social networks is more efficient online than generating networks offline. Even though social media is very time intensive in the beginning, as you get up to speed.
- With social media you're not constantly having to chase new business. Often it finds you.
- It’s hard to socialize with brick-and-mortars. Your store isn't making connections with your customers. It's your people – the voice on the phone, the person behind the counter, this is where connections are made. Social media is about people. It puts a face on your business.
- Social media allows local businesses to deeply differentiate themselves in ways your other new biz tools can never reach.
- Social media isn’t brain surgery. The best way to figure it out is to jump in. Use common sense, your personality and your offline personal networking skills online.
