As the web is being rapidly transformed from simply being an informational monologue into an exciting interactive and socially enriching platform, social networking sites are gaining greater power and prominence in the online media community.

So it is because of this major shift that small business owners are being forced, in their media planning, to start including these websites as part of their plan for posting compelling online advertisements, writing articles for this media while also using audio and video to capture their target market share.

Social media is becoming an extremely powerful tool for creating marketing leverage through persuasive communication – whereby customers can share their insights, their perspectives, and their opinions. Customers want to engage, and this media is providing them the perfect platform for that end. Small Business clients are demanding to be heard in an ever-increasing manner.

These days there are more and more examples of social media that are evolving with varied popularity. But it can start with updating your Blog regularly, contributing to niche industry forums, and creating a presence on YouTube, MySpace, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter plus more (Follow me at http://twitter.com/OEDesign). By simply commenting on other Blogs or Forums you can create a powerful connection with your own website through the establishment of links on that page whenever you post your comment.

Although Search Engine Optimisation is still a powerful tool to be used by the business community to drive traffic to their website, Social Media Optimisation is coming of age because it can cater to the web visitor’s desire to be engaged in an auditory and visual fashion. It provides choices, where the purchaser is in control of what information they can choose or not choose to hear or see.

For the Small Business owner, who is actively using online marketing as their overall marketing strategy, this is providing a wonderful opportunity to present their consumers with educative videos while at the same time adding a fresher approach to the life of a corporate website by creating the ‘buzz’ effect on a range of social media sites that will be directly linked back to corporate landing pages that deal with specific products and services that they supply.

So what are some of the ways that a Small Business owner can begin to use Social Media Optimisation to their benefit?

1. Participate – Jump in. Social Media sites are free to join. So don’t hesitate. Talk to anyone younger than yourself and they will help you to load a photo, post a link, write an article, comment on something that another member of that site has said. Have fun., Don’t be so serious. Share a joke. Post compelling content in your Blog and use the art of gentle face persuasion and a link to take people back to your core business website. In your face sales pitches will die a sudden death in this media. So step lightly and develop trust through friendship.
2. Create A Conversation – Engage others in your conversation. These conversations need to reflect a genuineness in your concern for them and their needs. And by responding to, not running from, consumer complaints and suggestions in a real time environment you will be giving yourself the awesome opportunity to reinforce the power of your brand.
3. Live In A Glass House – One of the greatest thing that you can do online in this format is to develop trust. But you must be transparent and give answers or information in true honesty and sincerity. People are not stupid, and they can soon tell if someone is not telling ‘nothing but the truth and the whole truth’. Be known for truth and integrity. And if you are ever wrong or make a mistake. Hey we’re all human. Admit it. Get forgiven and move on empowered.
4. Find Your Niche – within all of these communities you’re going to find people who talk your talk and walk your walk. These are the people that you want to hang out with because they’re the ones who will use your products and you services. Being part of this can provide an opportunity for you to share advice in a trusting environment.

The future growth of Small Businesses is going to be clearly defined by those who choose or choose not to use social media optimisation as part of their future marketing strategy.