Oftentimes when I talk with at home based business entrepreneurs about social media, I have to admit it is not uncommon for their eyes to glaze over – or worse, for them to stifle a yawn. I believe this initial reaction from people unfamiliar with the promotional possibilities of social media is because for many, social media is viewed as “silly” and not worth thoughtful consideration from savvy business entrepreneurs?
Work from home company people whom have not invested the time to study the astounding advertising potential of social media are doing themselves a immense disservice. Regrettably, they have decided that social media is not a sober advertising tool for businesses. Possibly they see “little” kids “tweeting” away and think that’s fine, but have persuaded themselves it is only for young people.
But for top home based business entrepreneurs that have fully examined the promotional capabilities of what we call the “big four, (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube), they now understand their fabulous reach and with it, their opportunity for earnestly boosting their company’s fortunes!
Here’s why – in March 2010, Facebook surpassed Google as the most visited site in the world with over 400M users and Twitter is not that far behind with 114M. Seeing these astounding numbers, a home based small business person should easily understand the tremendous potential. People all over the world are seeing that it is more beneficialfor them to be on Facebook, than to be on Google.
Google is super, 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 short amount of time with which the “big four” have pulled up a chair alongside Google at the tech world’s adult table.
Once derided as pushers of childish missives, (“my latte is cold!”), the “big four” have unveiled themselves as accurate barometers of mass culture. Today, if a subject isn’t talked about in one of these social media platforms, did it happen? They are now the world’s water cooler. They’re a place where you can listen what millions are saying and feeling, unbiased and in real time.
Today ardent followers vary from CEOs of mega corporations, (IBM, Coke, Dell, Apple, General Motors, Exxon, etc. etc.), to average Joes all chatting in the digital town square, and all with the ability to impact almost everything. Consider the awe-inspiring possibility 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 promotional potential with the capability to showcase your company with a half billion person audience at the “flip of a switch”!
Marketing Sherpa, an online marketing analytics company, conducted a new analysis of why people use social media? I’ve attached below the results which is a synopsis of their survey.
Max Connectors are those people with over 500 social links. If you consider 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 inquiry “Why consumers “friend” or follow organizations?” (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 vast majority of the “Hyper-Connected” or opinion leaders are there to do business!
They engage social media to:
- Check out 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.
- Check out any specials and sales available?
- Finally, and significantly less often, they use social media for entertainment.
It is easy to contemplate that social media is fluffof little significance. Twitter with its 140 character limitper tweet, Facebook with the pictures of your aunt Betty you might be better off not seeing, YouTube with arguably the biggest vault of hilarious, and “zany” videos on earth, but LinkedIn has always had its primary target toward business. These are also where a overwhelming majority of people make their buying decisions.
I am certainly not saying that people spend all that money using the Internet. But if you are not utilizing e-commerce, you could be missing out on a mega potential to add more sales outside the confines of your companythe current limitations of your business? And if you are not involved innot taking advantage of social media to promote your e-commerce endeavors, it is likely your firm is not as profitable as it shouldcould be.
So I’ll leave you with this: social media is a tool to engage in business, and it should be a important part of your marketing strategy!
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