Did you know that even if you don’t have an online presence, the internet can have a profound effect on the way you run your business? The truth is that even if your company is not online, people can find out about it through various social media sites and then contact you by phone.
What is social media? Simply put, it is a group of internet-based programs that facilitate interactive information sharing. Generally, these applications are very user-friendly and geared towards everybody, not just the extremely tech savvy. Some examples of social media sites include Facebook, My Space, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Yelp, but there are literally hundreds that could be used to help your particular business grow.
Picture this: A person on a social media site like the popular Twitter reads a complimentary message about a local gym. The individual then uses a phone directory website to locate your number, and a few minutes later they contact you and ask about a membership. As a business owner, not having an online presence can seriously hurt your business. And contrarily, business can increase exponentially when an online presence is established.
What you just read is not fiction. In fact, it happens every day. Businesses that do not currently have an online presence receive endorsements and leads from people who are communicating on social media sites. Since consumers are increasingly turning to the internet to help them with their offline buying decisions, it has an effect on companies that don’t sell goods online. In fact, in one recent study, one out of every four internet users said they consult online reviews on sites like Amazon before they order any product or service.
These days, most people rarely consult a traditional phone book. More and more, they are relying on search engines like Google to find the nearest/best service available to them. If a potential customer searches “Chinese restaurant Seattle”, millions of different items will pop up and be available for the customer to view. These items will include addresses, maps, and phone numbers, but they will also contain links to restaurant review sites that allow customers to rate their experiences at various restaurants. Chances are if the customer reads a positive review about the restaurant that is two blocks away, that is where they will dine.
Some of the biggest beneficiaries of social media sites are small offline restaurants. Why? Well, many social media sites, like Yelp, allow users to post restaurant reviews. So, when an internet user wants to try out a new restaurant in their area, more often than not he or she will consult sites like Yelp. If the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, there is a good chance he or she will eat there. As you might imagine, most small restaurants do not maintain their own websites, and they do not advertise online.
Reaching out to potential customers through social media has never been easier. It seems like everyone and their grandmother has a Facebook page. Information posted there can reach so many people in such a short time. Take this for example: A new bar opens in a town that already has thousands of bars. A curious customer looks online to see if there is anything interesting going on at that bar tonight. When the name of the bar is searched, a Facebook page pops up. There are pictures of good-looking people having a great time, delicious food, and a band playing. And guess what? The Facebook page says that tonight is karaoke night. Sold! That bar has gained a customer for life. Getting your business connected with Facebook and other social media sites can be just as effective as a traditional website, and it is interactive and constantly being updated.
So, what does this mean for offline businesses? Well, for starters, it lets them know that social media sites can be used to boost sales even if their business is presently offline. It also means that they should pay attention to what customers are saying about their company, because it won’t always be positive. These comments can appear on a number of different social media or consumer review sites, and can be used to improve their business.

5 Ways you can Use Social Media Sites to Boost your Business

1. Get your feet wet
The first step to taking advantage of social media sites is to actually recognize that they have an impact on the way consumers view almost everything these days. That means that you should search for each and every comment about your business you can locate. Find out what consumers are saying about you. Whether it is positive or negative, you can use this information to improve your business and increase your profits.
2. The ratings game
If you believe in your product or service, you should encourage your customers to rate your company online. Remember, the more positive reviews you receive, the better. You might also consider printing a reminder on the check or bill that encourages customers to visit their favorite social media site. As an incentive, you can also reward customers who provide feedback with coupons or special discounts.
3. Accentuate the positive, but don’t ignore the negative
While it may be human nature to shrug off serious criticism, when you own a business it is best to pay them some mind. Of course that doesn’t mean you should rearrange your business after each negative review. But when you truly believe that the comment is valid, you should take heed. How you go about addressing these problems is, of course, up to you. You should always keep in mind that your customers are using the internet to discuss your business, and if there is a glaring problem then you must deal with it.
4. Network, network, network
In the end, social media sites are used for socialization, which make them the perfect communication tool for business owners who are trying to get a little free advertising for their companies. Since sites like Twitter and Facebook are some of the fastest growing sites on the internet, it probably won’t be hard to meet people. Once you get to know them a bit you can tell them about what you do, about your business, and you might even send them a few free coupons or special discounts via email.
5. Join a message board
If you own a small business, it’s easy to join a message board that focuses on your industry. A message board is basically an online discussion board where you can share your knowledge and experience and quickly establish yourself as a trusted member of the community. You can also gain knowledge from other people. After that, you should feel free to exchange business information with anyone who is interested.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 11:59 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.