Using the Internet and social media for small business

Whether you've haed a website for years or are just moving your business marketing into the online space, it's critical to think about what some of the new tactics for promoting your business online can do for you.

First, clarify your target audience and determine if they use the Internet regularly and are likely to go there first for information. If your customers are more likely to pick up the phone and call you for what they need, you can take time to ease your customers online.

If your customers are more likely to go to the Internet first, you need to determine where they are going:

• What sites do the visit?
• Are they part of an online social networking site such as FaceBook?
• Do they read industry or competitors' blog postings?

Marketing on the Internet is basically taking your standard marketing rules and applying them to the Internet space. Make sure you have a presence where your customers are and make sure that if your compeitor is out there then you are too. Use the Internet to your advantage and go places where your competitors are not. Are their websites set up by your customers (i.e. fansites for Mustangs, PC applications, and the like).

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