Comments on: 30 Valuable Lessons Learned Using Social Media for Small Business

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:01:41 +0000

Great article. I love learning how other businesses have grown by using social media as a means to grow their customer base. I created a facebook application called Storefront Social (http://storefrontsocial.com) to enable retailers and small businesses owners to turn their facebook fan pages into a showcase for their products! Check it out and watch your fan base, and traffic to your online store grow with this complementary tool for your social media marketing efforts!

By: cable and wire products

cable and wire products — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:20:26 +0000

pretty good article, thanks for sharing your priceless experience with others. Some years ago I also started a small business and it was really difficult without any help. In spite of the fact I have some marketing background experience now, I`ve read your advices not without interest :)

By: Scarlet

Scarlet — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:43:24 +0000

Tips 28 and 29 are why my business works! I totally agree!

By: building confidence

building confidence — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:16:07 +0000

Have you ever well thought-outadding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful well let me know how it turns out

By: Faiz Suberi

Faiz Suberi — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:57:09 +0000

True. I should keep that in mind. I think the main idea is consistency and time management. The rest is being a little more human in social media, and determine which is best.
Thank you for sharing us your expert opinion Darren. Two thumbs up! :-)

By: Isao

Isao — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:18:51 +0000

Came from Ryan Rancatores’ shout. Great tips: this is my favorite.
21. The people who criticize you the most for using social media to promote your small business are the one’s who are most afraid of embracing change.

So true! Realizing it is one thing and dealing with those people is another (especially because many people who give me “advice” are my family)

By: Paul Andrew

Paul Andrew — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:47:54 +0000

Thanks Mark – it’s a great article. I’ve been at it for about 18months now in terms of a real social media focus with big results for my business & blog.

By: Joe "The Connector" Kennedy

Joe "The Connector" Kennedy — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:35:32 +0000

That’s a great list with some really good tips. I have to disagree with your statement “Location is Dead”. Location is HUGE for many businesses – just look at the growing number of LBS (location based services) like @Whrrl @4sq @GoWalla

By: kate

kate — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 01:06:46 +0000

Great list. I am just starting out using twitter/facebook/blogging for my business, and this was a great reminder that it’s not a race, it’s a marathon. I like the tip that said your efforts may not be measurable for 6 months to a year. thanks for posting this!

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 08:36:49 +0000

I have been thinking about small biz blogging for 6 mths. It was all a bit scarey but this gives me an idea of how to start and a bit of confidence. Thanks

By: ChrisMefford

ChrisMefford — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:20:30 +0000

The key is to start. I think social media allows one to develop a personal brand. But when it comes to a use for advertising it really is an incredible way you engage your customers and seem approachable.

chrismefford.wordpress.com

By: Jared Detroit

Jared Detroit — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 01:15:34 +0000

I completely agree with you on consistent small business blogging pays the greatest returns. Social media is great but it has to be a complement to consistent small biz blogging.

I’m also a huge fan of Google alerts. I keep up on my company name and my name.

By: Mark_Hayward

Mark_Hayward — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:35:23 +0000

@monica – certainly a valid question. If someone wishes to damage your business reputation via social media, then I think that they certainly could do it. However, the value that can be gained by embracing the technology, as opposed to avoiding it, by far outweighs the negative. (Just my opinion. :-))

By: Monica

Monica — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:17:22 +0000

Dear Mark,

Can you give us an example of your business being somehow disadvantaged by social media? or do you think if you don’t know to much about social media tools, certain comments could damage your business?

Thank you,

Monica

By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:27:45 +0000

Great Post Mark

I work with accountants in the UK some of whom can be quite sceptical about Social Media.

Those that embrace the concept do very well but you’re spot on consistency is the key.

No too sure about ‘Location being Dead’ but take your point. Google Local Search and local SEM is very important to my clients

Regards

Mike

http://www.mikesmithconsulting.co.uk

By: www.domainsregistrationindia.com

www.domainsregistrationindia.com — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:47:15 +0000

Great post, very helpful for someone like myself just getting into social media to help online companies. using social media’s also promote their domains and websites
Thanks

By: Jason Koertge

Jason Koertge — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:13:05 +0000

Mark, great post.

I have been using social media to market my business and the business of others for three years. My pitches have changed from selling “why” social media works to “how” social media works.

The thing that makes using social media for marketing so great is that it is a way for businesses to not just communicate with their customers, but a way for them to actually build relationships, sincere and personal relationships.

Social media will “work” for every business, but you’re right, it takes time, patience and persistence. Results almost never come after a few months, I usually look 6 months or even a year down the road. But, when you start seeing results, what you’ll have are relationships you would have never before had. Those relationships are not only your friends, they’ll be your greatest customers, your advocates, the people that will tell everyone they know about you just because they love you.

Again, great post Mark!

By: Matthew Needham

Matthew Needham — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:28:35 +0000

Some great tips here Mark. I had been using blogging as my ‘exclusive’ method of social media promotion until about a year ago when I started using Twitter.

I since realised the error of my ways and have created a Youtube Channel. Fickr, Tumblr, Squiddo lens and a Facebook Fan Page. Still early days really, but so far having some succeses.

By: Omar Paulo

Omar Paulo — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:45:38 +0000

thanks for these valuable insights Mark. doing a little everyday is a good approach. it’s getting it into a habit that will ensure consistency.

it’s interesting you’re placing a 6 month to 1 year timeline, i guess when people are expecting results in a much shorter time period, they get frustrated right away and ditch social media marketing altogether. your article is really an eye opener, i will forward this to my friends.

Omar

By: Gin

Gin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:00:06 +0000

I think promotion and engagement with others in social media is my favorite part. It is does seem challenging when initially starting but the end result is even greater. Great tips!