Marketing has completed a full circle with social media. It started with making products customized to the needs of the consumers, then with the modernization of industries consumers were happy with what they were being provided for by the companies. With the advent of Social media, customers want a say in the products being offered to them, whether they are small businesses or large. Thus bringing in the importance of small businesses to reach out to their customers to understand their needs and build a rapport with them.

I have provided examples of some small businesses who have had a complete turn around  with the use of social media. Lets take a look and re-use the success formula:

@coffeegrounds a simple coffee shop in Houston has doubled its visitors by simply engaging with their consumers online on twitter. Cordial interactions with consumers has led this coffee shop dealer to increase their customers twofold. Twitter provides a whole new platform to any business that are willing to take out time to get in touch with their consumers that will eventually lead them into a lifelong relationship of loyalty and trust with them.

Key Take Away: Small things make big impact …..start your twitterate..tiny but big steps!

Another example that best describes what I am explaining here is that of @zappos is an online retailer who led corporates to use twitter. This explains their stupendous success with social media. Their gregarious interactions with customers online and readiness to help is the reason why they have been a phenomenal success in social media.

As rightly quoted by Tony Hseih- “Zappos.com is a service company that just happens to sell shoes”.

These are just two examples in small business social networking success as more and more small companies enter this arena there will be more social media success waiting to be accoladed on blogs and other social media forums.

I am curious to know your social media success formulas are..Do write in and I would love to add yours to this Small Business list with full credits to your success story…!

Follow us on @iridiuminter or my personal twitter @sbharatam.

• build communities,
  
• provide consumer service,
  
• selling and providing promotional offers,
  
• building brand awareness and
  
• to raise funds.

Many companies have applied it into their company social policies and have been bearing the fruits of tweeting. Here are some interesting success stories of companies who have successfully applied twitter in their businesses. Take a good read!

Success Stories – Cases for tangible ROI via Twitter

1. Computer manufacturer, Dell is the first company that defined Twitter Monetization to the world. Dell launched the innovative idea of selling refurbished systems through twitter (@DellOutlet), they started posting messages and links to products online by alerting bargain hunters to the latest computer deals. In November 2008, Dell announced that it had made $500,000 through its Dell Outlet Twitter feed.  Joining since 2007 Dell has announced it had made $2 million in sales directly through twitter and additional $1 million from people who see the bargains on twitter then redirect themselves to the Dell Website.

2. Where Dell applied Twitter to increase sales, Comcast Cable provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services applied Twitter to provide costumer services in cost effective and efficient means. Twitter account @Comcastcares engage with customers directly and get their questions answered on varied topics, from billing issues to cable services. Today, Comcast firmly stands as the most successful customer service operations on the Web. Over the past year, Comcast has handled more than 21,000 customer service requests through social media, (a little more than half through Twitter).

3. Zappos, an online retailer featuring shoes, bags, clothing and other accessories wanted to differentiate itself from competitors by focusing on customer service and engaging with them directly. Through @Zappos, employees were encouraged to interact with customers,they answered product questions, helped in customer service. Anyone within Zappos was authorized to help customers on twitter. One thing led to another and this company with almost no sales in 1999 (the year it was established) garnered whopping $1 billion in gross merchandise sales in 2008. The primary driver of their growth has been repeat customers and word of mouth through their proactive help in services given to customers. At present, nearly one third of the employees are on Twitter, helping and engaging and conversing with customers through @Zappos.

Follow us on @iridiuminter or my personal twitter @sbharatam