Can local businesses utilize Facebook? Or is it just a waste of time?  For many smaller local business Facebook and other social media sites can be one way, and a very useful way, to spread information throughout the community.  One of the important ideas to think about when trying to market through Facebook is the targeted age group.  Facebook mainly caters to the younger, college crowd.   Out of all the users of Facebook, the 18-25 year olds serve as the highest percentage of users in the United States.  But, the amount of users over the age of 35 are growing at a very rapid pace, within the past 2 months the number of users over 35 has doubled, making Facebook an even more important part of advertising for local business.

The Facebook “fan” pages are pages that are set up to specifically cater towards business.  The pages act the same way a Facebook profile page works.  It is fairly easy to set up and maintain.  The best parts of the fan pages are that they are interactive.  The pages allow for the business to post up information and it allows for customers to talk with the business.  The Facebook page can take up as much or as little time as the owner of the page wants.  Within the fan page there are options to add different pictures and information about that business such as the address and a description.

Another key feature of Facebook advertising through fan pages is being user-friendly.  The fan pages are easily accessible through Facebook and can be very informational while at the same time be user-friendly.   It allows business’s to communicate with their customers very easily, and it’s free.

Communication is the best and most useful part of Facebook.  Utilizing the communication factor within the fan page can really help to get the word out about a specific product or company.  Facebook is organized in a way that you can market your company within a specific community.  It also can be helpful with customer service.  The pages allow your customers to communicate with you.

Facebook is one of the most popular websites in the United States.  The United States is responsible for about 30 percent of the 400 million active users.  Facebook can be a very useful tool for any local business; the Facebook “fan” pages are almost a social media form of The Yellow Pages.  It is simply a way for business to get their ideas out while at the same time being user-friendly.  Social media is an important part of every business nowadays, not just Facebook, but even websites like Twitter or Foursquare.

Are you a start-up business trying to advertise new specials offers? Are you trying to gain a loyal customer base? Are you trying to find a new way to tell potential customers that you even exist? If you answered yes to any of these questions then Foursquare might be for you. Foursquare not only provides loyalty programs for its customers, but it also helps provide promotion through cellphones and social media. Combine that with the ability to track your customer base, and Foursquare has the potential the change the world of e-commerce.

First let’s begin with the customer loyalty programs. Foursquare gives a business the ability to track a customer’s activity and offer them certain benefits for their loyalty. For instance, say you check into a business 10 times, you may be able to receive a free meal. Other specials can work based on frequency, i.e. every 3 times a customer checks in they get a discount on drinks. A business may also choose to advertise a special for any customer that is signed up with foursquare. The final special is known as the “Mayor” special. This special is given to the most loyal customer who has come to the restaurant the most times within a certain period of time. This customer keeps his title of “Mayor” until another customer surpasses him.
So how do these specials work? Do you get emailed a coupon that you will never print out, and even if you do, forget to bring it when you actually go to the restaurant? No. With the new Foursquare application for smartphones (iPhone, Blackberry, Android), a simple display of your phone will entitle you to these specials. Your loyalty card is now your smartphone.

Foursquare gives the user the ability to tell what specials are going on right next door with its geo-targeting system. So say your business is located in a shopping plaza and your trying to alert customers to the great special you offering today. All a customer located in that plaza needs to do is turn on his or her Foursquare application and your offer will pop right up. It will also alert the customer to what requirements are needed to unlock this special offer.

Now for the businesses, a wealth of knowledge is acquired through the use of Foursquare. You are given information on where your customer base is coming from. Information on what time the customers are coming at and on what days is also very useful information. Based on the specials being offered you can check their effectiveness in increasing the current customer base. Normally the only way to advertise specials is word of mouth from customers who have already been there. Now it is possible to attract new customers by simply flashing your special on their phone. No longer will your good deals go unnoticed.

All of this seems great, but it’s still only scratching the surface of Foursquare’s potential . Combined with a company like Mobio, Foursquare can begin to realize its full potential. Imagine being able to not only make reservations on your smartphone and present the special coupon, but also pay through your phone as well. Imagine if your credit card was linked directly to your phone, allowing you at the press of a button to pay for your meal with the discount you had just gotten.

The social media aspect is the final important detail of Foursquare. Through websites such as Facebook and Twitter, local companies involved with Foursquare are able to advertise its specials to its past customers. There is also the ability to thank customers for their business and open up a dialogue in which a customer may discuss any comments about their experience or ask about any future deals. Although the website is still in its infancy stage in gaining a customer base (there are currently only 2000 business listed nationwide), the business model has the potential to be an everyday commodity for most families and businesses.

Small businesses need to utilize any opportunity they can to market their company to the world. This can come through many media outlets. A few major outlets are Facebook, Four- square business, and Twitter. These sites can help small businesses learn and venture out into new areas. A good product may not sell itself anymore, so businesses need to figure out how to branch out and find ways to get it done. Social outlets such as Facebook and Twitter mix fun and learning with business through advertising and marketing. Whether a person updates his status to where he or she is eating lunch or coming up with a new medical breakthrough, people are interested. They need somewhere to express views and learn from others.

Twitter has recently become a huge way to meet and follow people or businesses. People can tweet where they are going or new things they wish to share to people. Companies can show links of their company featured on other websites. This will show followers that they are legit and they may continue to follow if they are interested. Twitter can be a very good way to break news in their industry. Being the first one will raise awareness and gain a lot of interest for their business. Companies can also use Twitter as a way to offer discounts or special offers for customers who find them via social media.

Twitter is not only for people to show interest in your company, but it is also a great way to learn about your industry and things competitors are doing. A company can learn from others’ mistakes on what to do and what not to do. Twitter allows people to track conversations, so you can always be updated. This will allow companies to know when it is their turn to maybe go for a potential customer. You can find out who your competitors are talking to and do some competitive intelligence, as Twitter likes to call it. Instead of crappy flyers or calling someone who obviously doesn’t want to speak to you, you can slowly build relationships through your Twitter. Sometimes you don’t even have to do anything. Twitter allows people to follow your page and keep up with new updates.

Twitter allows small businesses to get out of their shell and be themselves. They can put what they want whenever they want to. Potential customers stay interested because Twitter allows businesses to branch out to anyone. Businesses can hold weekly Twitter chats to get advice or talk to others in the industry. Twitter allows people to stay on top of their game and never fall behind. Small businesses can learn from others and expand. Normal marketing still works, but online outlets can be very helpful.

Four-square is another way for small businesses to grow. Are you a start-up business trying to advertise your new specials? Are you a customer simply wanting to know what restaurants around in your area can get you the best deals? Do you just want credit for going to the same restaurant every day? If you answered yes to any of these questions then Foursquare might be for you. Foursquare not only provides loyalty programs for its customers, but it also helps provide promotion through social media. Combine that with the ability to track your customer base, and Foursquare has the potential the change the world of e-commerce.

Facebook is another great way to expand your business. Facebook has advertising that goes on different peoples pages based on their likes and dislikes. Can local businesses utilize Facebook? Or is it just a waste of time? For many smaller local business Facebook can be one way, and a very useful way, to spread information throughout the community. One of the important ideas to think about when trying to market through Facebook is the targeted age group. Facebook mainly caters to the younger, college crowd. Out of all the users of Facebook, the 18-25 year olds serve as the highest percentage of users in the United States. But, the amount of users over the age of 35 are growing at a very rapid pace, within the past . Facebook can change small businesses, just as with Twitter and Foursquare.