The business world is no different from the wild, in the wild it's all about survival! Those that survive are strong, fit or clever. The clever species adapt (evolve, change) to their surroundings to survive.  In order for small business to survive the recession they must be clever. They must be prepared to adapt and evolve to their surroundings, the change in market conditions and the changing consumer.

This may include a change in your business model, marketing, product or service.

The utilization of social media marketing is one of the key strategies that will be the difference in determining which small businesses survive and which ones don't.  Below are some of my reasons why:

1. The use of social media is growing every day, this is where your audience will be in the future.

2. It allows you to listen to your customers and prospects, to know what they are saying about your company, brand, industry or competitors.

3. It allows you to engage with your customers and prospects to build rapport and reputation.

4. It will give you insight, reputation and confidence to adapt your product/service to meet your changing customer's needs.

5. Discover a new audience that you weren't marketing to and expand your market.

6. Educate yourself and stay up to date with the latest developments and trends for your industry.

7. It is a cost effective marketing tool that does everything from market research to promotion.

Before you start using social media, it is important to review your business goals and choose the relevant social media sites that are best suited to your business.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of social media for small business visit the social media marketing page or review how our Inbound Marketing Services to get you started with an effective social media plan.