For the past couple of years I’ve played around with many of the social networking sites - MySpace, LinkedIn, Ryze. Many small business owners have jumped on and starting using them to connect with others. Many more have barely heard of these sites.
So will they be important in the future? My vote is YES.
You can’t jump onto a social networking site and expect to gain new clients and great referrals today. Instead, think of them as a learning tool. Work with them now to gain an understanding of what will be available in the future.
These social tools teach you how to communicate effectively in many different formats. They teach you how to use viral applications. They teach you how to communicate in a global community. And they will ultimately teach you how to be more thorough in the way you look and retain your clients.
2008 will be the year of social networking for small businesses. Are you ready to play?