A report released this week from the Small Business Success Index (SBSI) showed that social media adoption by small businesses is, in fact, increasing. Network Solutions and the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business sponsored the report and found that over the last year, the number of small businesses using social media has gone from 12 percent to 24 percent.
Since many businesses have been heavily affected by the economy, they have turned to social media and found it to be valuable. The report found that small businesses are using social to identify and attract new customers, build brand awareness, and stay engaged with customers.
Unfortunately, there are still some businesses that do not see the value in social. The report found the following statistics that reflect this discovery:
- 50 percent of small business social media users believe it takes more time than they expected
- 17 percent are convinced that social media gives people a chance to criticize a business online
- 6 percent say social media has hurt their business more than it has helped it
Even with the negativity, it doesn't appear that social media is going to go away. According to the report, investments made in social media rank third in the investments small businesses will make in the next two years.
So, what does all this mean? In the above video, social media veteran Chris Brogan talks about how now is the time to get serious about social media. Up to this point, social media has been like a shiny new toy that has been categorized as something fun instead of something business-oriented.
He said, "My real hope is that people are going to get ready to go to the next step. It's not, gee whiz, it's cool; it's what are you really going to do with it...There are all kinds of ways that you can work this that is going to do more than just hang out with the nerds..."
What can you do to take it to the next level?
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Social Media's Next Level
The last generaion of "the next level" was in my opinion the radio talk show. In this environment, radio listeners like my mother could hear the host take calls about recipies and could get hints on how to remove a stuborn stain.
Now days, we're adapting real life into what has evolved into high speed technoloy. In conversation we ask and reply to questions about, "what's your career or daily grind?" This opens up the possibility that a product or business can be part of the discussion. In a social network forum, this also happens and has potential for expanding the circle of prospective clientel and possibly employees, if that's what is needed at the moment.
RH
Social Media
I think social media if very important to businesses now. Small business need to think outside the box in order to compete. Social media and the internet as a whole has opened the opportunity for small business to compete with Fortune 500's by leveling the playing field. I think small businesses need to jump on board.
L. Fairman
http://www.corporatesnobs.com
Look At The Growth Numbers In The Video
Business Starting
The controversy continues around whether or not the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is more commonly referred to as the stimulus package, helps small businesses.
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