If you are still afraid of social media – don’t be. Now is the time to face your fears and get networking. Even the most forward-thinking marketers couldn’t predict how social media would be changing the way we do business.

For big brands and big companies, social media was something that was easy to accommodate. For SMBs, it’s a little difficult to incorporate tweeting, following, and posting into the day-to-day operations of running your own business. The companies that have taken the leap and began interacting with partners and clients are stabilizing their brand. With the right marketing plan, social media can generously affect your bottom line.

A recent article talks about key things small business owners can do to take advantage of social media.

If you’ve taken the time to create a website, go the extra step with search engine optimization to get that traffic you need. Since social sharing impacts how Google ranks your site you may not be as relevant as you need to be. Make sure to incorporate social networking into any SEO strategy.

Now that you have them there, communicate with them. Social media is not the latest fad, it’s an integral part of how businesses work. When you interact with a variety of platforms you boost your brand’s visibility. Your past marketing methods might bring people to your page but social media allows them to really interact with you by becoming a fan, a friend, and even a follower.

If you want your customers to trust you, get personal with them. Utilize social media to begin the conversation between you and potential clients. Let Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn be your voice to engage anyone who is listening. A majority of B2B businesses are also using these tools as a customer service function, too. It should be no surprise that people want to talk to a real person.

When you are in this situation, offer feedback. Customers have the capability to share their likes and dislikes on multiple social media sites. In order to stay connected, you need to be on those platforms, too. You are simply limiting your potential by not participating in the discussions customers are having about your business. Social media is a great opportunity to really find out what your customers think about you.

If you’re looking to move away from traditional marketing plans that can’t compete, let us help you embrace social media and engage your customers. Don’t get left behind while your competitors move forward with their blogs, shares and likes. A solid social media plan needs to be maintained daily and SMBs struggle with this. We are a small business that has perfected the art of social media. Let us plan your next strategy.