More small businesses seem to be doing more experimenting with social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, than ever before.
What I think is of special note is that traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses are experimenting with social media, something that used to be rare.
Now I see, for instance, plumbing businesses posting videos on YouTube advertising their great customer service and salsa producers (Brooks Pepperfire Foods) trying to get bridge funding through blogging and Twitter.
Warrillow and Co., one of my favourite sources for market research on small business, has been tracking this trend for several years now. In September 2008 they reported that 52% of Canadian small business owners were participating in social networks, with significantly more women than men participating. In Canada, at that time at least, the preferred vehicle was Facebook (rather than LinkedIn) with Canadian small business participation in Facebook at 43%, up nearly 50% from 2007.
Warrillow’s latest newsletter reports that the use of blogs for specific business purposes more than doubled in the last 12 months, and 40% of small business owners now use this medium in their business.
But Warrillow cautions,
And assuming you are using social media, are you seeing any tangible benefits from your participation?
Related:
What I think is of special note is that traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses are experimenting with social media, something that used to be rare.
Warrillow and Co., one of my favourite sources for market research on small business, has been tracking this trend for several years now. In September 2008 they reported that 52% of Canadian small business owners were participating in social networks, with significantly more women than men participating. In Canada, at that time at least, the preferred vehicle was Facebook (rather than LinkedIn) with Canadian small business participation in Facebook at 43%, up nearly 50% from 2007.
Warrillow’s latest newsletter reports that the use of blogs for specific business purposes more than doubled in the last 12 months, and 40% of small business owners now use this medium in their business.
But Warrillow cautions,
"While celebrities and the under 25-year-old population are flocking to Twitter, small business owners are just realizing the full potential of blogging."Do you think this is true and that as a group we're that far behind the social media curve? What social media are you using regularly? Cast your vote(s) in the poll at right.
And assuming you are using social media, are you seeing any tangible benefits from your participation?
Related:
- Marketing Online: Basic Strategies Any Business Can Use
- Top 7 Reasons Why Your Small Business Should Use Twitter
- How to Promote Your Business on Twitter
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Thank you, Makalbo!