Seven Small Business Benefits of the Social Media Revolution

The social media revolution has transformed the ways in which companies do business. Small businesses can now take advantage of social media platforms at little to no cost. No longer do small businesses have to pour out thousands of dollars into expensive marketing campaigns. Here are seven of the top ways in which the social media revolution has assisted companies in achieving success.

1. Decreased costs for advertising.

Small businesses do not have to pay a fee to use websites like LinkedIn or Facebook. If they do want to hire a marketing team, they can outsource this work to college students in most cases. Small businesses can hire a college intern at little to no cost.

2. Greater connection to the international community.

Social media outlets now give businesses a greater opportunity to connect with citizens around the world. Businesses can reach out to customers who may live in other countries through a video on Facebook or quick message on Twitter.

3. Increased awareness of how customers view a product or service.

Small businesses can now gauge whether customers love or hate a product. They can figure out whether customers are having a positive experience in using a product. If customers do not have a positive experience with a product, they may tweet or post about it on Twitter or Facebook. A small business can then reach out to the customer and try to resolve any issues.

4. Ability to find qualified applicants without use of a recruiting service.

Businesses no longer have to pay fees to hire recruiting companies to assist in the process of locating qualified candidates. Interested candidates may search for a company's profile on Facebook or LinkedIn. College students frequently learn about job opportunities through social media.

5. Ability to reach customers on a deeper level.

Small businesses can create a better connection with customers through social media. Instead of appearing distant or corporate, a small business can engage customers through humor or interesting tidbits of information on Facebook and Twitter. Companies like Melaleuca.com are doing an excellent job in connecting with customers on forums like LinkedIn.

6. Sell more products online.

Facebook and Twitter can serve as great platforms for the sale of products. It has never been easier for businesses to sell products online.

7. Create more "buzz" about new products.

Businesses can ultimately create more excitement and buzz about products on Facebook. They may host a promotion in which customers have to be creative in order to score a free new product.

Ultimately, social media is having a great impact on the development of small businesses in the U.S. Businesses can enjoy decreased operation costs and succeed in promoting new products.