Social media all systems go at National Small Business Summit

15/07/2010: Social media all systems go at National Small Business Summit. The message I took from the Council of Small Business of Australia's National Small Business Summit I attended last week in Brisbane was clear: ignore the benefits of social media at your peril.

The overriding message was that small businesses should be harnessing the benefits of social media. The conference was peppered with presentations on how technology has moved us forward and how we can utilise it in ways like never before, to better grow our businesses.

While there was some disagreement from members of the audience to this message; many of whom still can't see the point of engaging in Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube for business; there was some good discussion. Social networking is clearly no longer the domain of the young or merely a personal activity. Think about US President Barack Obama's campaign as well as news and photos of recent earthquake disasters via Twitter.

Personally, social media helps me communicate with my target audiences in seconds; and I get a response. I sent out a special offer only last week to a select few and had feedback in minutes. It is faster, cheaper and fun. What are your thoughts about social media? Have you thought about how it could impact your business?

Richard Binhammer, Dell's US social media expert presented and I liked his down-to-earth style. He said social media offers us more cost-effective ways of engaging with more people. Whereas in the past we used to mail people in our database with expensive direct marketing pieces, including the cost of stamps, we can now communicate to our customer base in seconds.

Social media simply gives us another tool to do business, with access to new age groups, more channels and different audiences. It's very exciting.

Binhammer also outlined that if you aren't controlling or engaging with your customers and prospects via social media at the moment, it is probable your competition will be. So while you disregard the idea, your competition could be gaining an advantage.

As business owners, it's our responsibility to be on top of this, as with any new advancement, however intimidating. Just because it's confusing and different, is no excuse.

If you want to view how social media has helped real businesses just do an Internet search on the topic. The examples are amazing and social media is now delivering real business results.In a nutshell my takeaway tips were as follows:

• You ultimately want to make it easy for people to find you and your company when they do an Internet search.
• All your social media efforts should be in sync. Your blog should drive readers to your main website and all your other social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) should be linked to one another.
• Your website should form the hub of all your online activity and be the prime education and influencing tool.
• Make sure your website presence reflects your company accurately. Check out your competition if you want to gauge where you should be at with design and content.
• If the website needs an overhaul, do it now.
• Set up a Facebook "Like" page and invite your customers to join. It may even reduce your customer service calls as customers could help each other out directly.
• Make sure you get a profile on LinkedIn and start inviting people you want to do business with to link with you. I use LinkedIn regularly to communicate offers, advice, ask questions and send invitations.
• Blog; if you're not sure how to, follow someone else's then start your own one and learn.
• Twitter; stop knocking it and just try it. See how many people respond and learn by trial and error.
• If you don't know where to start, find someone who can. My teenage daughters and graduates in the office are superb.

And like with all things, if you don't succeed at first, don't give up!To view this blog on ninemsn, click here.