Tag Archives: pinterest for small business

Social Media: Which Sites Are Best for Your Small Business?

If you want your small business to thrive in this day and age, it’s crucial that you have some sort of social media presence. According to an article from CNN.com, about 75 percent of small businesses utilize social media but don’t know how to use it effectively. Take the time to learn more about the top social media sites and which ones may be best for your small business.

Facebook: The Mother of Social Networks

According to a 2013 research study by GlobalWebIndex, Facebook is by far the most popular social network in the world. Using Facebook properly and regularly can get you clients as close as next door and as far away as the other side of the globe. It can be a beneficial online tool for both B2C (business to customer) and B2B (business to business) companies. When users like your page, they receive updates. Make the most of your Facebook account by giving useful insights and posting links to current industry news. Grow your brand using this popular social media site by posting images related to the culture of your company. For instance, if you have a fun and laid back company culture, you might post photos and videos of your employees doing fun things like throwing a football around at the company picnic. Telling stories about your business also grabs the attention of Facebook users. Stories and pictures help potential clients connect and relate with your small business on a more personal level, which could persuade them to call on your company.

Also, Facebook is the perfect place to get feedback from customers so that you can better focus your advertising efforts — read the comments on your page to find out which products and services people like the most.

Twitter: The Conversation That Never Ends


Twitter is a powerful site for your small business because it allows you to send information about promotions, events and special news to clients in seconds. It is a useful social media solution for both B2C and B2B companies. With Twitter, you can build your customer or client base by generating conversations that illustrate your knowledge and experience. The quickest and most effective way to reach potential customers is to find and answer questions that relate to your business using the advanced search feature of the site. Ongoing engagement between you and your target audience builds trust and sets the foundation for Twitter followers to become customers. Twitter users will be more likely to visit your website or establishment if they trust your advice and opinions.

LinkedIn: The Potential Employee Directory

There comes a time when even the smallest small business needs to hire people to help the business reach its full potential. LinkedIn is the social media site to use when you’re ready to start hiring people. LinkedIn is a hub for people seeking new jobs. It is full of professionals advertising their resumes and experience. It can be a very useful tool in screening potential new hires before you consider setting up interviews. The site also offers recruiting services where you can post job openings and publish keyword-rich information about your company.

LinkedIn is also a great site to use if you sell to other businesses. One simple way to generate business contacts is to join a few groups that relate to your business. Provide useful information and advice — when you become established in a group over time, potential clients will want to know more about your company.

Pinterest: The Place for Creatives

If you run a creative small business, such as a graphic design company, art gallery, tattoo shop or beauty salon, Pinterest may be the ideal social media site for your company. Pinterest allows creative people to post visual images of their work and interests instead of text. So if you have a beauty salon, you might post before and after pictures of your clients. An art gallery owner can post the newest additions to the gallery’s collection. A graphic artist can post his entire portfolio on Pinterest to attract new clients. The images link back to your business website so that people can check out more of your work and contact you for inquiries. Some online experts believe Pinterest is the next big thing in social media for small companies.

Of course, there are plenty of other social media sites besides Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest that could help your small business gain more exposure, but it’s better to focus on a few popular sites than to spread yourself thin on dozens of different sites. It’s important to note that no matter what social media platform you use, the key to success is building a good relationship with your target audience.