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5 Social Media Lessons for Small Business
by Mike Hallaron
Hallaron Public Relations
Small business got a taste of social media in 2010. Following the lead of Fortune 500 companies and big brands, small business owners were probably introduced to social media on a personal level first: joining family on Facebook, taking note of Twitter on ESPN or Tosh.0, or someone emailing a funny video from YouTube. Of course there were also the email invitations to connect to former colleagues on LinkedIn, checking out personal photo albums on Flickr, and for a few, even adventures on Foursquare. The average “Joe” or “Jane” with a locally-based small business was indoctrinated into the “social” world in 2010.
So there it is. Social media has pervaded our lifestyles and the lexicon. After recognizing the networking and communications potential of social media on a personal level, “Joe” and “Jane” decided there must be a business application for all of these free, web-based tools. Some have already added social marketing to their business arsenal and a small percentage are doing it well. Many more have floundered awkwardly into untested waters. One thing is certain, more small businesses will try to use social marketing to create new prospects and new sales in 2011. Here is what we have learned, so far.
A Simple Public Relations Plan for Small Business
by Mike Hallaron
Hallaron Public Relations
We define public relations as “the accurate, consistent and timely communication of the right message to the right audience.” Today there is no reason why small business types cannot develop a simple but effective public relations plan to reach that audience. Traditionally, most small companies have neglected public relations as part of their marketing plan. PR was left to larger corporate marketers with juicy budgets and plenty of staff. The arrival of hands-on social tools, search, and web marketing has changed all of that. Now is the time for your small company to reap the rewards of an effective public relations plan.
Social Marketing Goes Mainstream
by Mike Hallaron
Hallaron Public Relations
Most will agree that 2010 was a landmark year in the marketing industry as social media went mainstream. While ad agencies, digital media, public relations, and big corporate America represented the first wave of early adopters beginning in 2009, the trend toward social media marketing picked up speed in 2010 when small business owners climbed aboard the social juggernaut en masse.
The challenge for small business owners, who tend to manage their own marketing, is finding the time and know-how to create social accounts, populate them with well-written original content, and comprehend all of the subtle nuances of effective social media strategy. For most, it presents a significant mountain to climb.
