We sometimes get asked whether social media is just for big brands who are creating huge viral marketing campaigns. The answer is an emphatic NO! In fact, return on investment is likely to be greater for a smaller business, and here are some of the reasons why….

One:  Financial barriers to entry are low. You don’t need expensive hardware or software, or to commit to a long web hosting contract, or have a bulk order of printing done…if you don’t have a lot of capital to invest, that’s not a problem. It’s only fair to note though that there IS a considerable time investment needed to understand the various social media platforms, set yourself up with some credible branding, and start building your following. After many nights burning the midnight oil when we started out, we know that this isn’t something to dismiss lightly.

Two:  You can really make Local work for you. Although the medium is virtual, that real world element of geography is growing in importance all the time – and if there’s one thing that smaller businesses tend to do well, it’s connecting with the local community that they depend on. Many of the recent developments in social media – Foursquare, Facebook’s Places function, Google Map pages etc – support that direct connection with a local client base.

Three:  You can punch above your weight. As the old New Yorker cartoon pointed out, “on the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog”. Not that we’re suggesting your business is a dog, of course, but the point stands – done right, your reach and credibility are almost unlimited. That’s true whether you’re a small organisation based in the Outer Hebrides, or a corporate with huge financial resources and a swanky office in the City.

to be continued….click here for more Reasons!