Historically business has often been transacted based on how well a customer knew the sales rep or the business owner. Over time it has become easier for customers to find options for better pricing or more suitable services through internet research, and the marketing forces quickly adapted to meet the demands presented in this new way of doing business.
As online social networking has matured into much more than e-cards and instant messaging, it has become widely acceptable to maintain virtual relationships that have resulted not only from casual online encounters but also through correspondence from doing business online. Friendships are formed, partnerships are created, and experiences are remembered all with the use of social media. There aren’t always opportunities for a physical hand-shake to take place at the end of a deal, but through social media a client has the opportunity to get to know with whom they are doing business on a level that wasn’t an option when conversations would end with the hanging up of the phone or the shake of the hand.
With the use of social media, the small businesses have just as much opportunity as the larger businesses to impact the market and make themselves known. Using social media to reach the masses means that geography is no longer a challenge, and budgets are no longer as much of a restrictor. Social media is where any business’s creativity and consistency can really shine through, and customers can truly have the opportunity to get to know their options.