If you follow the news it's no secret that social media is big right now and it's growing fast. Facebook, for example, boasts 350 million users worldwide and grew 145% in 2009, according to their own reports. Because of this tremendous growth and potential, businesses are speeding to gain a social media presence in droves.

Large corporations, all the way down to small and medium businesses are finding that social media provides a great medium for marketing, brand identity, and for interacting with customers and prospects. If your business already uses the Internet or email for marketing, then you should be using social media as well.

Why You Should Bother With Social Media Marketing
Social media isn't going anywhere in 2010, it will continue to have a major impact on the way we use the web. There are several good reasons for your business to add social media to the marketing mix:

It's Inexpensive and Easy
It doesn't cost anything to get started. Sure, you can spend money for advertising on social media if you like, but you aren't required to spend a penny in order to reap the benefits that social media marketing can bring to your business. These benefits include:

• Targeted marketing
• Increased brand awareness and brand building
• Improved public relations
• Connecting with customers on a more social level
• Customer service
• Polling and surveying
• Customer feedback functions.

To get started, all you need to do is set up your profile on a social networking platform such as Facebook or Twitter. Then tell the public about your sites through your existing marketing efforts such as your website, print, direct mail, or email to get people to follow you or become your fan.

A word of caution, however, ease of use shouldn't equate to diving in with little preparation. A measured approach is recommended, including establishing your objectives, observing how are your customers are already using social media and then adopting the right personality for your business.

Your Customers are Probably Already Using It
Social media is growing quickly, proving itself as a major means of communications for all age groups. Chances are, the people you want to reach are right there. Purchasing decisions are being influenced more and more these days by public opinion, including blogs, websites, and you guessed it – social media.

Whether it's via video, forums, blogs, dedicated review sites or social networking, consumers are using the internet to research products, look for the best deals, the greatest bargains, and the highest level of customer service. Getting involved in ‘the conversation' can be an invaluable opportunity to be an influence.

Keep Your Finger on the Pulse
Social media offers opportunities for businesses and individuals never before dreamed of. Consumer information that once took the form of costly surveys, focus groups, or scientific studies can now be done via free polls on social networks.

Feedback that once took days or weeks to receive can now be viewed instantly. And responses to customer feedback can in turn be given to the public in real time. Companies can now find out what the public is saying about them and respond immediately to repair or maintain their brand identity.

Websites Alone Are No Longer Enough
If you currently rely on your website to create sales or get leads for your business, you're going to have to branch out into social media.

Social media marketing can help to drive more people to your site and is a great addition to a marketing mix that already includes other internet marketing such as search engine optimisation, email marketing, blogging or paid search ads. Successful web marketing lies with a good balance of all of these methods.

If you would like help creating a workable social media marketing plan for your business, call us today on 08450 740068.