subject: Harness Social Networking and Wireless Internet for Your Small Business [print this page] Harness Social Networking and Wireless Internet for Your Small Business
Small businesses all over the country are starting to realize the power of social networking. Just a few short years ago, most businesses were forced to spend large amounts of their budget on marketing and advertising. In recent years, however, businesses have really been able to cut back on this kind of spending as wireless internet access and social networking use have taken off. Business owners have come to understand that the internet enables them to reach their customers without having to pay for expensive billboards or television advertisements.
Not only do businesses have an easier time reaching their customers (and potential customers), but they are also more connected to them. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter help create a sense of community, and those communities have grown bigger and bigger as wireless internet access has grown. Businesses are able to utilize those communities to their advantage to expand their customer base and increase their customer loyalty. For instance, in cities like Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, many restaurant owners have begun utilizing social networks to reach their clients. Those cities both have huge local scenes, and restaurant owners are really able to connect with their customers through sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Yelp. For instance, the owner of a new food cart in Portland might create a group page that people can become fans of on Facebook. After that, they can update their fans on all sorts of things like specials of the day that they are offering. The great thing about those updates is that so many people have smartphones and 4G internet these days that they'll get an instant notification about what is happening at the restaurant. If a special peaks their interest, they can then wander over to the restaurant, and if need be, they can use their smartphone and wireless internet connection to look at a free map online so they don't get lost.
One of the key benefits of creating a fan page on a site like Facebook, is that it creates a cult following. When business owners post specials online in places where only fans can view them, it creates a sense of belonging and specialness. People want to feel like they get exclusive benefits and have insider information, and business owners can really help make them feel that way through limited specials that they offer to a small group of customers. Twitter, Yelp, and many other sites are also great social networking resources that all business owners should start utilizing. These resources are free, and as wireless internet use expands, taking advantage of these resources really means that businesses can connect with their customers for free! For small business owners who have tiny budgets, being able to spread the word for free without spending a fortune on advertizing is vital to their success. And even for larger businesses that have big budgets, it's impossible to sit on the sidelines and let their competitors take advantage of social networking without them. Social networking sites aren't going away anytime soon, which makes it even more vital that businesses start to understand how to use these resources to their advantage.
