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Social networking tips for small businesses

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Small businesses are learning that social networking sites are one of the best places to find new customers and build relationships with customers. Social networking allows individuals to get together online and share interests, hobbies, ideas, and other information. Several people develop friendships and business relationships online using the social networking sites.

Anyone can become a member of a social networking site, which is why so many businesses have been able to establish user profiles on social networking sites. MySpace and Facebook are two of the most-popular social networking sites; LinkedIn and Twitter are popular with businesses. A company can create a profile page that includes information about the company and send press releases to a targeted audience. Individuals are able to add companies as their "friends" and they will receive information from the company about new products, services, and other updates.

Twitter is a great place to keep your business contacts up-to-date with information about the company. You can send information to your Twitter feed for all of your followers to read. This information must be 120 characters or less, but it is enough information to send out to people to motivate them to visit your web site.

Social networking also allows businesses to participate in discussion threads with their targeted audience and other individuals. A social networking site will also allow a business to place videos, pictures, and other information on the user profile for other members to see. Members are able to leave comments and send messages to the business. Most businesses will take the information submitted by members and write a blog or participate in a discussion thread so they clear up any miss-information or confusion about the company, service, or product.

One of the biggest reasons to use social networking sites is for the branding opportunities. Since you have the ability to create your own profile, customize your page, and upload everything you want, you can easily build an online identity. People also like the benefits of social networking sites because it builds their inbound links and it also helps to attract new traffic. Since most social networking sites are free to join, you are essentially getting free advertising.

What makes social networking sites great for businesses is that you can get some quality traffic to your web site. The people that are searching your profile information on your social networking site will click on the link to your web site to learn more information if they are interested. This is like doing a targeted mailer for free.

Customers like social networking sites because of their ability to help them connect directly with the companies. Since a social networking site is a "social" site, companies can finally talk to their customers as a one-on-one basis, without the need to go through phone calls. Consumers are always online and talking about your company, so it is a good idea to get online and join in on the conversation they are having. Dealing with your customers through social networking sites can help you build a good rapport with these individuals and it can help you bring attention to new products and services. Getting online and joining the discussion boards is a wise idea, especially if there is some negative PR surrounding your company. You can get in the discussion rooms and set the story straight so people know exactly what happened and what your company is doing to fix it.

Another great reason to join a social networking site is for the networking opportunities. With so many business members online, you can easily meet some great people that will build your company and help you attract new customers.

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