Susan Boyle and Small Business

Excnyaeg

debhrK

Excnyaeg of LA @ Jul 14, 2009 06:44:11 AM

Small Business can learn from most news worthy interest

Hello Steve,

I think Susan's story along with many of the daily news interest can give us an advantage in business. I wrote and article recently on Susan's story and how it could teach us about customer service. "What Singing Sensation Susan Boyle Can Teach Business About Customer Service".

I beleive small business owners have a HUGE advantage in today's marketplace if they will wake up and realize the shift going on in our new economy. The big guys are not able to let their 'old models' be transformed to meet the demands of today;s new breed of consumers.

Sadly as a digital marketing strategist many small buainess owners are in the same boat. When it comes to using social media they just can't see how this can help better position them.

I do disagree with your comment small businesses don't really need a social media presence. That is exactly where they need to be!

I say this because this is where millions upon millions of people hang out 24/7. To not be there is to let your business slip further behind the ball in this current shift we are experiencing. Just think, the local bakery could use Twitter to post end of the day goods on sale to clear out daily inventory, the attorney looking for more clients could setup a Facebook page and answer questions further positioning himself as "the guy" to turn to for legal services, the skateboard dealer could post contests and build their email list for ongoing marketing, etc.. I could go on and on.

Social media is not only here to stay, it's a tangible business advantage if it is incorporated and used properly. Here is where many are failing short though. If you are new to this you need to invest in getting a professional to help you. This is what I tell my clients, it all starts with great strategy. Without this...you are wasting your time, money and effort.

I urge small businesses to get moving and seek out the help they need to take advantage of this incredible time we live in!

Hazel Nieves

Susan article- http://www.strategicbusinessdesigner.com/archives/152

Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/hazelnieves

Facebook- http://profile.to/hazelnieves/

Hazel Nieves of TN @ May 28, 2009 10:55:56 AM

Importance of Social Media

I think social Media is here to stay. The use of it for small biz is even more important because the tools when used properly can give your biz an internet presence. Which might have only been a one direction shouting match. With a two way conversation you are able to find out what is good or bad with your company.

You need to be in the right social space. If you are a clean up company who basically repairs the bank owned houses which have been foreclosed. I do not think a blog is appropriate because no one wants to hear the negative aspect of foreclosure.

Depending on your business a two way conversation is good though. Message boards have been around for a long time and often talk about issues and you can use them for your business to build trust.

People do business wth other people they know, like and trust.

Jamie Favreau of MI @ Apr 27, 2009 19:10:36 PM

Interesting Examples & its not about Susan Boyle

Ky & Joy: I always like interesting examples of social edia use by small business and you both provide good ones. Thanks.

Archer: My point around Susan Boyle is that social media is now a mainstream online activity. Because it is mainstream, businesses need to evaluate it as a marketing too.

John: you are right - you gotta try.

Steve

Steve King of CA @ Apr 25, 2009 14:12:57 PM

...and, I am not sure if social Media is Hype or if it is Real?

My company, Office Divvy of Palm Coast, Fla has been on facebook and twitter since early March 2009.

In Twitter, we built a following nearing 2000 Tweeps. I personally saw the benefits of Facebook in connecting with long lost friends, but for the business there is a small following on Facebook so far.

To be honest, we're still not sure what this all means, and where it will go..

On Twitter > http://Twitter.com/OfficeDivvy

On Facebook > http://facebook.OfficeDivvy.com

On the web > http://www.OfficeDivvy.com

Ky Ekinci

Office Divvy, LLC.

Ky of FL @ Apr 24, 2009 18:55:09 PM

Importance of Social Media

I agree with you Steve. We run a small white water rafting company in Grand Canyon. At 61 years old, social media was foreign to me, but not any more. I have attended a number of seminars with people my age, all trying to figure this new tool out. I think you must be part of the conversation if you have any competition at all. As you said, it does not mean you have to be everywhere, all the time, but you do need to be present. I am twittering now and working on publishing my Blog and sending flip video cams on river trips so that I can upload clips to U-Tube. All these things, if done right, can increase your visibility on the Search Engines, and that's important!

Best,

Joy

Joy Staveley of AZ @ Apr 24, 2009 18:21:35 PM

I couldn't agree less

While I believe that small business owners should have a marketing plan that includes social media marketing tools, I do not believe the persuasive business case lies in Susan Boyle. Yes, she's garnered an impressive number of hits, all from friends saying "you must see this." But no small shop owner selling widgets in Tennessee should jump on this bandwagon without knowing exactly where they want it to go. That's no more rational than telling someone that because people love cute cat photos they should start using cute cat photos to promote their business.

To the communications manager working to persuade a corporate boss to adopt social media marketing tools, "look at how successful Susan Boyle is" would not work so why are we saying this to our fellow small business owners? Do we need these facile hooks to pop culture or is there a compelling case for social media marketing or not?

ArcherTC of DC @ Apr 24, 2009 10:52:14 AM