Social Networking, A Small Business Promotor

Social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter are revealed to be “fast, free and efficient” tools for small businesses looking for turn around in this economic slump. In a recent New York Times article, "Small Businesses Are Taking Tentative Steps Towards Online Networking" the opportunities presented by such social networking sites are revealed and explored.

Mickey Meece's article discusses a start up business from Vermont called Brighter Planet that has begun to incorporate social networking into their business model. Brighter Planet has sponsored numerous online events through Facebook and Twitter, which have helped broaden their customer base and develop relationships. Brighter Planet is further looking to improve their online presence by creating a customer interactive site by way of a Web application where visitors can calculate the status of their carbon footprint.

Currently 260,000 business in North America use online social networking as a tool to promote their business. The online marketing industry is rapidly growing and according to the article, small businesses had better consider participating in this virtual marketing world.

Below are two clips from an interview with Willy Franzen from Prendismo’s 10GoodMinutes podcast series, which further expand upon the use of Facebook and Twitter as social networking tools.

"I actually worked with some readers in my web site to use Facebook advertising model to reach employers." - Willy Franzen, Founder, One Day, One Job

"All of a sudden you have a network of even thousands of people who are seeing interesting things and might be able to help you with your career or anything that you need." - Willy Franzen, Founder, One Day, One Job