Express Marketing Memo

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Your customers aren’t the only ones making use of social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn or MySpace. The article “Journalists + Facebook = Scoops” on Scientific American asks the question, “Should journalists be hanging out on Facebook?”

Let’s skip the “should they be there” question and consider the FACT that journalists are already there. Does that worry you a little? Or open your mind to a few interesting possibilities?

I was made aware of this article via Friendfeed, an application that at first glance is overwhelming … a clear case of information overload. Ok, it was the same at second and third glance too. But thanks to Ed Dale of Thirty Day Challenge fame, I’m beginning to find my way around and finding that Friendfeed may have enormous potential as a market research and tracking tool, as well as be a convenient way to disseminate information.

Let’s face it, social media is rapidly changing the way we communicate with our market and opening new avenues for public relations. The traditional press release is still alive and well, but the way it’s distributed is changing. The information it contains is evolving. The smart small business owner will take note of these trends and consider the implications for his business.

Do you devote a portion of your week to learning about technologies, applications, or ideas that could improve how you share your message and market your business?

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You’ve probably heard - Facebook isn’t just for college students anymore. No, the once exclusive domain of the college crowd has been adopted by parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and increasingly by business owners.

28% of small business owners have registered with at least one social networking site, according to a 2008 Warrillow & Co. survey. It also found that fast-growth companies were much more likely to participate in social networking than slower-growth companies. Could there be a correlation?

I’ve only recently begun to tap into Facebook. To be honest, my first impression was that it was a complete waste of time. After all, how seriously can you take an application where your “friends” throw sheep, send virtual drinks, plant virtual gardens, and newbies spam one another with bizarre videos and graffiti walls?

But with so much written about Facebook’s value to the business owner - and because I’ve been asked about it a few times, I decided to dig in and discover for myself if there was more to Facebook than met the eye. Is there a way to present a professional, yet casual profile and use this application to responsibly and enjoyably network with others? The answer is a resounding yes!

I’ve turned off the junk applications that allow me to be easily spammed or that I don’t care to associate with, and added applications that support causes I believe in. I don’t have it down to a science, but apparently nobody else does either. Facebook is a relaxed, casual, learn-as-you-go environment.

There’s far too much to cover about Facebook in one post, so stay tuned. In future posts we’re going to cover:

• Using Facebook responsibly

• Local networking with Facebook

• Setting up a business page

• Promoting your business or cause through groups and events

• Integrating Facebook – The KISS Principle

Are you already on Facebook, and if so, what are you gaining or contributing by being there? Do you use Facebook for business or personal use, or both?

Related Articles:

Event Marketing with Social Media

Social Networking: What’s In It For The Local Business?

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