‘ Intro to Social Media 101: What Every Businessperson Ought to Know’ was a seminar, which I recently hosted in conjunction with the Barbados Small Business Association.  During this, although the necessity to integrate social media into their marketing strategy was recognized, four main concerns were raised about its implementation within real life business scenarios.

This post addresses those four concerns by outlining useful resources to introduce and guide small businesses as they take the leap into social media, hopefully making this process as painless as possible.

1. Not Enough Time in a Day

One of the most if not the most popular reason for being late to the social media game is the excuse that there simply isn’t enough time. In a small business you may feel overwhelmed at having to master another field and  decide there just isn’t enough hours in a day. Don’t worry you won’t need 25 hours in a day or an 8 day work week to prosper, but trust me when I say ‘You Must Make Time For Social Media’.

Some degree of automation may assist you in your battle against the clock so try these ’6 Status Updates Scheduler for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn.

2. Where’s the Pen and Paper?

Yes you are accustomed to doing business in another fashion and possibly thinking that you are unable to make the transition to  this ‘new world mindset’. Think again,  it’s the same mindset just in a different packaging. ‘Are You Too Old For Social Media’ I say never, unless you’re too old for business.

3. TMI (Too much Information)

Nope I don’t need to know what you had for lunch, whether you are washing your car or that you are feeding your dog. Build your network with relevant connections. As a businessperson you need persons with similar objectives as yours who are using the online world for more than frivolous status updates, well frivolity is acceptable within reason, that’s why connection is King.  ’5 Ways To Build Your Followings In Social Networks’ may be a useful resource in acquiring those targeted connections.

4. It’s so quiet in here!!

You’ve set a facebook page but it is astoundingly quiet. There is little or no interaction on your page and you are quickly becoming frustrated. Try some of these  sugguestions in  ’21 Creative Ways To Increase Your Facebook Fanbase’ to grow your Facebook community. Increased fanbase leads to greater interaction.

In addition take a peak at ’10 Ways TO Rock Your Facebook Campaign’

Ready to Start

Here are three great blogs which provide loads of information for small businesses and should be part of your daily reading:

Socialmediatoday

Convince&Convert

SocialMouths

Hope that these resources prove helpful and if you have any sources you have found useful please feel free to add in the comments.

Deidre Brathwaite is a certified Social Media Consultant and operates the boutique new media firm, PixlD Inc, which specializes in web, design and social media. She  provide online solutions for companies of all sizes to connect and engage their audience in a non-static manner. Lover of travelling, sushi and all things digital connect with her at pixldinc.com/blog.