Social Media for Small Businesses
- Posted January 23rd, 2008
- Filed under: Community, How We Do It, Social Media, Technology
Adam and I are kind of “he said, she said” about our love of various communication forms. For example, whereas I Facebook, he Twitters. I lug a big camera, a little camera and a laptop around, he uses his cell phone for “everything but phone calls”. However, we agree that using social media is, for a variety of reasons, where it’s at. As such, we’re working on a project to help introduce and define social media for small business owners as we explore various ways of using it ourselves. We’ll be posting about this project very soon.
For BatchBlue, we’ve used social media to create a “workstream”; setting up Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr accounts. What this means that by checking out these various accounts, you can get a multi-dimensional look at us as a company. This can be a great way for small businesses to get their name out there, as well as connected with customers and potential customers. For instance, I was really happy to see that one of my favorite small(ish) businesses, Freshbooks (an online accounting company) now has a Facebook page. Why? Because, as a Facebook user, I’m able to subscribe to it as a Fan and show my support of the company and product, get updates, and connect with other people who are also fans of that company.
As the resident social media junkies, Adam and I are very excited to be going to South-by-SouthWest (SXSW) this March, a fantastic conference chock full of smart folks working on and thinking about new technologies. I’m sure Adam will be Twittering and snapping pictures with his iPhone while I’ll be updating my Facebook status and using my Canon Rebel XT to upload photosets to Flickr. The event will be very well-documented!
If all of this is geek to you, sit tight. What we learn, we will share. That’s the beauty of social media.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for keeping your eye on us and helping spread the word of FreshBooks!
We will be at SXSW this year as well as if you would like we would love to introduce ourselves.
Saul
Head of Magic
FreshBooks.com
Hi Saul, thanks for the comment. I would love to meet up in TX, I’ll drop you a line with our info before we head out.
Glad you guys are in there exploring the Facebook for business waters, it’s fun, isn’t it?
Michelle, great to find you online. You’re just up the road from me. Blog looks great! Rob
Hi Rob, nice to hear from you. Thanks for the kudos, we’re having a good time putting it all together. Hope things are going well at HP!
Riggs-
Cool company, I think I need to use the batchbook..
Coy
Hey Michelle,
Cool stuff… One of the many neat things about BatchBlue is your willingness to inform as you explore new concepts and spaces. Thanks for sharing your insight with us!
I know from having worked with you folks that you have a real commitment to your users and the companies you serve. I am also seeing more and more how what you are doing relates to the notion of a community or “cultural brand” in which users literally participate in the construction of the brand and embrace products as part of their lifestyles. I look forward to learning more from you as we share our research and insights with your team and community.
Be well,
Jerry