Internet2Go released today the results of a survey it conducted with MerchantCircle, the largest social media network for small business. One of the major findings was roughly 45 percent of respondents have a presence or profiles on Facebook and Twitter to promote their businesses. Yes, the survey targeted the most frequent content-publishers among MerchantCircle’s small business members, which means these people are already active players in the social media arena.
You’ll see some pie charts and summaries of the finds here. It’s interesting to note:
- 44% of the businesses had a marketing budget of less than $1000
- 52% were in business 5 years or less
- 79% had less than 4 employees
- Although 53% were using social media profiles, only 22% saw them as effective
And, when asked “What is your biggest complaint about online marketing?” the top answers were:
- Too costly
- Not enough time to do it well and still run a business
- Too many places to advertise
- Needs a dedicated person and don’t have the budget to hire one
- Not effective
- Too complex and confusing
What can we glean from these findings? A vanguard of small business owners are forging a path through the maze of social media and making it work. Yes, there’s an increase in social media participation by SMBs (Small to Medium sized Businesses), but there’s still a big question as to how effective these tools can be.
What may help you as a small business owners considering social media participation is by choosing to use your time to:
- Contribute to only a few (1 or 2) social media platforms you feel you can use effectively.
- Monitor a few platforms (blogs, social networks) your customers are active in, to keep a pulse on the marketplace
It may be free, but social media takes time and commitment. Many small businesses are stepping up to this challenge. Is this a good direction for your business to take?
