If you are unsure, even unconvinced, of how social media can help you reach customers, then you’re not alone.
According to a survey conducted by RatePoint, only 36 percent of small business entrepreneurs are using sites like Facebook and Twitter. Majority of small business owners, according to the survey results, are not yet convinced that social media plays a large role in gaining customers. About 20 percent even said that they did not think that their customers spent time on sites like Facebook or Twitter.
This is pretty much consistent with some of the talks I have with other business owners. Even in discussions in online forums, I often see comments from small business owners who are not convinced that their customers use social media, or that it can be a viable method for attracting visitors and customers.
On this thread from WebmasterWorld , some users call Twitter and Facebook as “a real nonsense,” “senseless waste of time,” as well as a “fad that will die a natural death.” Add to that the small business owners who may think there’s benefit to using these social media sites, but don’t know how!
Other findings from the RatePoint study includes:
- 25 percent of respondents agreed that their customers want to hear from them on social networks, 36 percent disagreed and 20 percent were undecided;
- 35 percent of respondents agreed that social media is a quick way to connect with customers, 28 percent disagreed and 22 percent were undecided; and
- Of the SMBs which indicated they’d be using social media as the main tactic to drive new customers to their business in the next 12 months, 70 percent said they will do so because social media is the least expensive option.
For me, I’m not as pessimistic as the small business owners surveyed with regards to social media. I’ve seen how it can benefit my businesses, and to others as well. And I’m not one to turn away from free sources of good, targeted traffic.
As Neal Creighton, CEO and co-founder of RatePoint, said, “Social media use is no longer limited to one demographic, everyone is adopting. While many small business owners are uncertain, big brands are investing heavily in social media. Social media can be a great equalizer for small businesses to compete alongside larger brands and SMBs are missing out if they are not involved.”
If time is money you’ve made me a wealthier woman.
Hi Glenn! Thanks for dropping by.
I agree with you about the mobile trucks in DC. I follow some of them and a big fan of some. The way they use social media — and the response they get from their customers — is just excellent.
Hey Isabel Have to agree – social media sites like Twitter are not the general god send business development tool for EVERY business. They are like any business tool they may or may not work for your product/service. I still see them as good traffic generators and a way to communicate… They are no longer effective click-thru and buy programs like they were in the early adoption stage 2007 to early 2008. So many biz owners are still being pitched this click thru and buy – which is almost a scam now.
Yet for some businesses the benefits of twitter are incredible. But the common theme is use to communicate with customers. A big example here in DC are the mobile high end “grease trucks” a somewhat new business itself. They have rabid followers on twitter and use twitter to identify the location they are currently serving from!
Nice to connect with you again!
Glenn
http://www.beasuccessfulentrepreneur.com
I have been using Twitter for about a year. I think it is good for establishing company image, but not so good for attracting actual paying customers.
Love it or not, Twitter and Facebook still make profits of million million dollars per year. I somehow not really like them but that’s the fact.