Social Media Awareness by Small Businesses

Social media seems to be everywhere, seems to be used by everyone....but is it really?  And how about small business use?  

We participated in a Small Business Week event yesterday in Danbury, CT (sat on a panel) that was co-sponsored by SBA, SCORE, and Constant Contact.  The questions from the audience of small business owners were better, more informed, more detailed, and demonstrated a greater level of awareness and understanding than we've seen at any previous event.

Was it the Facebook IPO this week, was it the self-selecting nature of the attendees, was it the presence of the SBA that were factors?  Undeniably; anything that could be a factor probably was a factor.  But let's share some observations:

• Just about everyone knew about Facebook business pages, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn.  First time.
• About half the audience knew about Pinterest.  And half again knew about the shifting nature of the Pinterest user profile.
• Many were aware that there were different channels by which Google determines search relevance.
• When the panel was answering a question in relatively new territory (manipulating the Timeline page, for example), facial expressions were generally of comprehension rather than confusion.
• Only one expression about commercial emails being intrusive and spam.
• No expressions that social media was irrelevant to business - and not one disdainful reference to a 'what I had for breakfast' Tweet.

Qualitative, yes.  Observational, yes.  But real.  And it made for more sophisticated discussions both during and after the panel session.  Note to practitioners - step up your game.

Are small businesses moving up the 'hockey stick' of social media awareness, integration, and use?  Think so...