Remember the term “information superhighway” in the 90’s when the World Wide Web exploded? The Internet was defined as an electronic “cyberspace” of infinite data that could connect the world together. 

It still is. But now it is less of a theory… we are actually doing it. 

The scale is tipping from a place for just information to a world of social interaction and connections. We have a global village at our disposal where 6 degrees of separation is turning into instant connections with new and extended networks. 

And while these infoways (information highways) are being built to connect our infinite cybervillages, average Joe who is still here on earth is left to try and comprehend it all… 

The truth is I can preach social media all day to every business in town… but it comes down to the ultimate question that I get almost daily: 

“Is it worth my time?”

The answer that small business owners want to hear is, “Yes, it will lower your marketing cost and bring you instant new clientele.” 

The answer that I have to give is still “yes” – but I have to add, “If you do it right.” 

The truth is that I know entrepreneurs and small business owners who use social media in a way that it has brought them extensive new business opportunity and continues to do so… but those are the catalysts and pioneers for this new industry called social media. They are the forerunners who spent unlimited hours testing the infoways and finding the right combinations to create cybervillages. 

You aren’t meant to be an expert in the social media field. But you can continue to be an expert in your own field, and use social media experts to make a smooth transition from traditional marketing to the infinite possibilities of publicity that the internet offers. 

Social Media Optimization (SMO) is a defined by Wikipedia as “a set of methods for generating publicity through social media, online communities and community websites.”

Stay tuned for information about Which social media tools are better for small businesses, and why?

Just wanted to let you know about a meetup group I have going on every Friday morning @ The Good Cherry.

Nannette Saunders and I will be there to throw around marketing ideas, experiences and tips.

I also have some new information about blogging and social media that could help you cut down your marketing costs.

WHAT: Small Business and Startup Support Forum
WHERE: The Good Cherry Coffee & Tea, Forest, VA
WHEN: Friday mornings, starting at 9 a.m.

Will I see you there?

Buzzlogic and Jupiterresearch published a study on the influence of blogs on consumer purchases.

They found that the number of blog readers has TRIPLED in the past four years and that the blogs they are reading strongly influence their purchase decisions. 

Read the article by Retailer Daily here >