Frequently when I converse with at home based business owners about social media, I have to say it is not uncommon for their eyes to glaze over – or worse, for them to stifle a yawn. I believe this first reaction from people not “up to speed” with the promotional potential of social media is because for many, social media is viewed as “trivial” and not worthy of serious thought from savvy business entrepreneurs?
Work from home company people whom have not invested the time to study the incredible advertising potential of social media are doing themselves a immense disservice. Alas, they have concluded that social media is not a serious-minded marketing tool for businesses. Possibly they see young kids “tweeting” away and believe that’s wonderful, but have persuaded themselves it is only for kids.
But for top home based business entrepreneurs that have truly looked into the marketing potential of what we call the “big four, (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube), they now understand their astounding reach and with it, their opportunity for seriously boosting their biz!
Here’s why – in March 2010, Facebook “whipped by” Google as the most visited site in the world with over 400M visitors and Twitter is close behind with 114M. Seeing these astounding numbers, a home based small business professional will easily “get” the tremendous implications. People all over the world are realizing that it is more beneficial for them to be on Facebook, than to be on Google.
Google is great, but it’s very impersonal, being mainly used only for search. There are no real ways of connecting with people on Google! What generates “awe” is the speed with which the “big four” have taken a seat right next to Google at the tech world’s adult table.
Once derided as pushers of immature missives, (“my latte is cold!”), the “big four” have uncovered themselves as accurate barometers of mass culture. Today, if something isn’t talked about in one of these social media platforms, did it happen? They have become the world’s water cooler. They’re a place where you can hear what millions are talking about and feeling, unbiased and in the moment.
Today devotees range from CEOs of mega companies, (IBM, Coke, Dell, Apple, General Motors, Exxon, etc. etc.), to average Joes all chatting online, and all with the power to influence almost anything. Think about the astonishing potential of being a leader in talking about the benefits of a new product or service your top home business just launched? Even if you are part-time just trying to earn extra money from home, you will see the marketing possibility with the ability to showcase your company with a half billion person audience at the “flip of a switch”!
Marketing Sherpa, an online marketing analysis company, completed a new analysis of why people utilize social media? I’ve attached below the results which is an abstract of their survey.
Max Connectors are those people with over 500 social links. If you think about your local chamber of commerce, Max Connectors would be those individuals who are the most tuned in, tapped in and successful of your immediate circle of business associates.
The Chart below answers the query “Why consumers “friend” or follow companies?” (Of course we now “like” instead of “follow” on Facebook.)
Chart Title: Why Consumers Friend or Follow, (Like), Companies
Learn about new products/features/services
- Max Connectors: 61%
- Daily Users: 61%
- All Respondents: 62%
Company culture, environmental responsibility, workers policies, etc.
- Max Connectors: 48%
- Daily Users: 41%
- All Respondents: 30%
Learn about specials, sales, etc.
- Max Connectors: 46%
- Daily Users: 65%
- All Respondents: 64%
Entertainment – funny or insightful
- Max Connectors: 37%
- Daily Users: 34%
- All Respondents: 35%
The great majority of the “Hyper-Connected” or opinion leadership are there to do business!
They participate with social media to:
- Learn about new products, features, or services.
- Learn about the company culture and to see if the company is one whom they will feel comfortable giving their business to.
- Learn about any specials and sales available?
- Finally, and significantly less often, they use social media for fun.
It is easy to suppose that social media is something of little value. Twitter with its 140 letter maximumper tweet, Facebook with the pictures of your kids you might be better off not seeing, YouTube with arguably the greatest vault of outrageous, and “zany” videos ever, but LinkedIn has always had its primary concentration on business. These are also where a vast majority of people make their buying decisions.
That is not to say that people spend all that money through online services. But if you are not taking advantage of e-commerce, you may be loosing out on a huge opportunity to add extra sales outside the four walls of your businessthe current limitations of your business? And if you currently not using social media to promote your e-commerce efforts, it is quite possible your company is not as profitable as it could be.
So I’ll leave you with this: social media is a tool to engage in business, and it should be a substantial part of your advertising strategy!
Statistics say that most people miss at least one MAJOR opportunity every year. The fact is that if you took advantage of all the opportunities that you have missed, you’d be better off than you are now.
Laying the right foundation to launch an at home based business is one of those opportunities!
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