26 November 2008
Do you know what your business and teenagers have in common? You both can use Facebook to stay in touch with friends (or in your case clients). There are hundreds of social media platforms that you can participate in today.

Do you know what your business and teenagers have in common? You both can use Facebook to stay in touch with friends (or in your case clients). There are hundreds of social media platforms that you can participate in today; Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Bebo, Digg... and they all have pros and cons to promote your business. The best way to choose the best platform for your business to belong to is to look at the people that use it!

There are plenty of social media platforms that you can participate in today and they all have their pros and cons. The best way to choose a platform to participate in is to look at the people that hang out there. Facebook is one of the best platforms for networking-both personally and professionally. SM2, SM2 Staff and clients also use Linked In, Twitter and MySpace.

Linked In is ideal for having your professional profile online. Twitter is great for “blasting” small bits and pieces of news to friends and clients. MySpace is different; you need to ensure if MySpace is suitable for your client base. Music businesses thrive on MySpace for example. MySpace also has more lax Privacy controls than some may prefer. Of all the social networks, Facebook is the best overall when it comes to all-round marketing and networking. (Though of course it depends on your target audience).

Should you add Facebook to your online strategy to help your business reach new markets?

The answer is yes and no, only if it’s appropriate to your business. We have found that the advice from industry experts is not to rush and ensure your target audience will find it suitable.

It's imperative to have a deep understanding of the social networking landscape prior to your business utilises this approach. Facebook provides a new way to interact with customers and reach new ones however it can only be effectual if it is relevant and appropriate to your audience that it is communicating with.

In February 2008 Nielsen Online found that the early 2008 and late 2007 has seen an "explosion in the use of social networking sites by Australians."

"Explosion in the use of social networking sites by Australians, and nearly half of all Australians now have a social networking profile. Half of the current non users indicate they would sign up within the next twelve months."
Nielsen Online
February 2008

If you are confident with your current online strategy then it may be worthwhile assessing the major networking sites to enhance your business’s online opportunities.