This document discusses why social media is important for businesses. It notes that most business buyers now use social media to research companies and make purchasing decisions. The document recommends that businesses establish a presence on major social media sites like LinkedIn, YouTube, and SlideShare to share relevant content with prospects before soliciting their contact information. It also advises setting up alerts to monitor what is being said about the company online in order to both capitalize on positive mentions and address any negative comments. The overall message is that social media has become essential for businesses to build their brand, generate awareness, and develop leads through engaging with prospects across online channels.