Social Media: An Essential Tool for Growing Small Businesses

Social Media is proving to be a more than essential tool in the growth and expansion of small businesses worldwide. The benefits are reflected not only in the increase in sales many SMBs are experiencing, but also in other facets of business.

These include (but are not limited to) increasing positive brand awareness, improving your ranking in search results, facilitating networking online, providing a space for customer forums (used to help gather feedback about bettering your company), and allowing businesses to follow and research the activity of their competitors, and therefor, stay on top of the game.

And the best part is that it is a potentially low cost form of advertising! In her article “The Case for Social Media Keeps Growing”, Mia Pearson pints out ” While your small business may not have the marketing budget for splashy billboards and TV advertisements, I have seen small businesses have big success on social media by being clever, agile and authentic. It is a cost-effective way to create an army of brand ambassadors who will go out defend and promote your organization and add credibility to your offering. It can open up new potential markets and crowd source your focus groups and product development. The ROI will be there – right in your community.”

Having started an online business  just over a year ago, I can clearly see the benefits that Social Media marketing provides our company on a daily basis. When utilized proficiently, this is clearly a tool that has become integral in the growth and expansion of small businesses around the world.

– Amy Duryea, CEO, IT Briefcase (a Virtual Star Media Company)