The document provides an overview of using social media like Facebook and Twitter for small businesses, highlighting that over 70% of small and medium businesses actively use social media to promote themselves. It discusses best practices for social media use including creating engaging content, participating in conversations, maintaining consistency, and focusing on building relationships rather than solely selling. The document also outlines some of the main benefits of social media for small businesses such as brand awareness, customer communication, and low-cost marketing.

1. SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SMALL BUSINESSYMCA Business Centre, Markham, ONOctober 19, 2010

2. What is social media anyway?Part of your marketing mix

3. A tool for communication

4. Atwo-way street that gives you the abilityto engage with your audienceWHY SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook: 500 Musers worldwide45 M pieces of contents shared per month5.3 M fans for 1.5 M local businesses145% Growth in the last year The 35+ demographic now represents more than 30% of the entire user base.Largest growth in the 55+ demographicAt least50% of active users log into the site each dayTwitter now has156 M users sending out5.4 B tweets per monthMore than 70% of small& medium businesses actively useSM sites like Twitter, Facebookto promote themselves.

5. Social media is a massive networking PARTYBe preparedKnow your messageRemember you are an ambassador of your brandJoin the conversationListen, help, support Take initiative, engageGive before you takeBe a connectorDon’t spam!Think beyond ROI

6. Benefits of social mediaBrand awareness & exposurePublic RelationsBuilding your listSelling products & servicesDriving traffic to your websiteInexpensive way of marketing your business

7. and there’s more…Ongoing communication with your customersEven playing field: ReachMarket researchShowcasing your expertiseEducating your customersCompetitive intelligenceBuilding & nurturing customer relationsAddressing customer concerns & questions instantlyNiche marketing Understanding your customer as a wholeViral & word of mouth marketingFind new customers through your friends Increase your search engine rankings Connect with vendors, suppliers, partners Attract media, sponsorship, joint ventures

8. OH BUT WAIT!Some Challenges to Deal with…Time consumingOverwhelmingCreating good contentProviding consistent communicationPrivacy concernsTransparencyBalance between relationship building & sellingConfidence in your messageKnow your social media funnel

9. FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESSCreating good contentSharing & ParticipatingEngagementConsistency & Focus

10. Facebook 101Your personal profile is where it all startsHave a professional photoInclude your bio & website on your profilePeople want to know who you are; let them inRemember that every post, picture, comment is part of your brandCheck privacy settingsJoin groups, fan pages where your customers areParticipate in the conversationMake friends!Share (good) contentInvite them to your fan pageGet out to network in real life, connect with them on FB

12. YourFan Page What’s in a name?Provide a description, add photos, video, linksCustomized landing tabGet a vanity urlCreate content that is relevant, frequent & consistent: Status updates, links, photos, videoEncourage engagement, ask questionsEducate your fansMake it relevant, interesting & funCreate events, promotionsRemember the 80 -20 rule: engagement vs. selling Ask questions - people love to talkRespond to questions & inquiries promptlyClean up wall spam promptlyDrive traffic to you page via your website, email signature, business card

13. TWITTER 101Have your real name, good bio, professional photoInclude your websiteBe consistent Join the conversationBalance between 3 types of tweets: Original contentResponses/comments Re-tweets (sharing)Remember the 80-20 ruleBe generous, kind, politeLearn the rules & etiquetteEvery tweet, every DM represents your company and more specifically you as a person.Don’t be afraid to let your personality shineFollow some experts closely to see how they do itDon’t worry about (un)followersTweet like you talk, no jargonListen & ask questionsUse Twitter toolsBe patient – don’t get discouragedHave fun!

14. “How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?” – Seth Godin“Realize that social media success equation is big moves on the chess board, it’s little moves made everyday that eventually add up to major shift.” Jay BaerYou will make mistakes. If you are sincere about helping the community, the authenticity will show and your mistakes will be forgiven.” – Zia Yusuf, executive vice president for SAP’s global ecosystem and partner groupDon’t say anything online that you wouldn’t want plastered on a billboard with your face on it.” – Erin Bury, Sprouter community manager

15. Katia Millarwww.positivefabulouswomen.com