Three-quarters of small businesses say they have not found sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn helpful for generating business leads or expanding business in the past year
My first reaction was, pardon? Though I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised.
I get a chance to talk to many small businesses through my monthly seminars at Small Business BC. The vast majority of them are interested in social media, but far from ready to jump into these “new fangled tools”
For those that do participate, many fail to import the same authentic, personal interaction that they offer to their clients, to the web world. Instead it’s seen as another opportunity to market or push their message.
Social Media is a Huge Opportunity for Small Business
If done right that is. Most companies are set on doing the same thing they do in the offline world online.
Generally that falls into the category of “Look how cool we are” posts instead of, “how can I add value to my community” type posts.
Once these small businesses start looking at the Social Media world as an opportunity to network, engage and help make other peoples lives better, rather than a new advertising or marketing medium, they’ll start to see more value.