Social Media and Small Business Marketing

Publisher Marketing: Social Media marketing does not have to be overwhelming, mysterious, or immeasurable, as a promotional tactic for small business. Most business books about social media marketing tend to focus on the variety and types of online media (Facebook, Twitter et al), instead of focusing on developing Social Media marketing plans. It's no wonder that small business is reluctant to get involved with social media. It seems most Social Media marketing books have lost their business focus and adopted a simple mantra: Be everywhere and do everything - Online videos! Podcasts! Blogs! Mobile Marketing! Those are impossible, meaningless recommendations for a small business owner already overwhelmed with responsibilities The process of developing workable Social Media plans relies less on utilizing multiple Social Media outlets and more on developing marketing goals appropriate for this promotional channel that measurably improve profits. Developing a plan with built-in metrics gives your project energy and momentum; for if you really knew you could reach your customers and measure your success; would you still be ambivalent about pursuing Social Media marketing? In truth, most small business people feel a certain amount of "push" and "pull" about Social Media. They have heard the hoopla and read the breathless stories. Stunning case studies abound in the current crop of Social Media marketing books. These sagas often profile a bootstrap marketer climbing from obscurity to national success through adept Social Media marketing. Although these stories are engaging, a typical small business owner needs something far more direct and real than a case study. He or she wants to know - Is Social Media marketing a good choice for my business, in my city, and with my customers? Helping you answer that question is the mission of this book. Contributor Bio:  Wilson, Stephen Stephen Wilson is Professor of Conceptual and Information Arts at San Francisco State University.