Most large organizations realize the power of using social media to generate customer word of mouth. But this article in The New York Times shows how a street food vendor catapulted to an in-demand crème brulee man through Twitter.
Word of mouth recommendations have always been key for small businesses to get off the ground. Social media tools like blogs, Twitter, Facebook and forums revolve around engaging in conversation and connecting with other people.
While there are lots of social media tools to try, another example of a small business using Twitter to succeed is Foiled Cupcakes. Foiled Cupcakes, Chicagoland's only online gourmet cupcake order and delivery service, just launched its Website in June 2009. Owner Mari Luangrath got on Twitter as @foiledcupcakes, apparently by accident, and started conversing with Chicagoans. She then started attending Twitter networking events and began interacting with key influencers in the community. Now with 2,890 followers, she has already seen how social media can drive business, with the company more than doubling its first month's expectations.
Benefits of using social mediafor small businesses include:
What are your resources for learning about new social media tools? Have you effectively used social media in your small business?
Word of mouth recommendations have always been key for small businesses to get off the ground. Social media tools like blogs, Twitter, Facebook and forums revolve around engaging in conversation and connecting with other people.
While there are lots of social media tools to try, another example of a small business using Twitter to succeed is Foiled Cupcakes. Foiled Cupcakes, Chicagoland's only online gourmet cupcake order and delivery service, just launched its Website in June 2009. Owner Mari Luangrath got on Twitter as @foiledcupcakes, apparently by accident, and started conversing with Chicagoans. She then started attending Twitter networking events and began interacting with key influencers in the community. Now with 2,890 followers, she has already seen how social media can drive business, with the company more than doubling its first month's expectations.Benefits of using social mediafor small businesses include:
- Cost-effective: free to set-up
- Simple: easy to learn and use from a computer or phone
- Local connections: Easier to find people within the community and connect with them
- Promotion: Easy to share discounts, deals or offers like "twitter-only" specials to encourage purchases and easily track them
- Personalize: Businesses can create a personable online presence so potential and current customers feel they "know" the store owner
- Advice: Offers opportunity to connect with other business owners of different industries to exchange advice when problems arise, from computer mishaps to delivery issues
What are your resources for learning about new social media tools? Have you effectively used social media in your small business?
