We hear a lot about the importance of Web 2.0 for small businesses.
But what is the first step in generating the global buzz you need to take your business to the next level? How do you actually go from local to global?
How One Small Business Owner Went From Local to Global
Laurel J. Delaney shares a real life example of how one business owner, Sidney, took her local Detroit based design business global.
Sidney spent a few weeks totally immersed in new media, and learning as much as she could. She then added profiles of her business on every relevant new media channel she could find, to increase her global reach.
Video Sharing Sites
1. YouTube - Sidney created a video about branding. You could also try Daily Motion and Expert Village or other video sharing sites.
Social Networking Sites
2. Sidney set up profiles on MySpace, Facebook and Bebo to get in touch with people outside her immediate area. LinkedIn is another business oriented social networking site.
3. Inspired by the 3D world of Second Life, as a designer, she was well placed to build a 3D design portfolio of her top work.
5. Xanga was an opportunity for Sidney to start a blog about design, reflecting her skills and knowledge in the design field.
6. Zooped proved to be a great social networking vehicle for Sidney to show off how she combined music and design.
7. Mashable allows you to combine media - perfect as a designer's showcase.
8. Twitter updates are often as inane as what someone is having for lunch. Who really cares? Sidney used Twitter as a business tool, using it to share her latest design tip and her contact details - Brilliant!
9. Pecha Kucha Night - Laurel Delaney predicts this "will soon make PowerPoint presentations obsolete." Sidney put together a "less is more" presentation, again reinforcing her expertise and business brand.
Photo Sharing Sites
10. Piczo - Sidney featured some of her top photography. Other online sharing sites and photo editing tools include Flickr, Picnik and Fotolog.
More Social Networking Resources
BuzzNetworker.com
Leveraging Social Networking To Generate Business
Online Social Networks Go To Work
Essential Tools For Social Media
Web 2.0 Results - Local To Global Transition
Sidney's business has expanded globally. She has developed partnerships and taken on new staff, who between them speak seven different languages.
Sidney's Web 2.0 Business Secret
Delaney shares Sidney's secret for transitioning from a local business to a global operation -
Immerse yourself in every imaginable online global marketing medium, have a big voice, and use it to influence the people you come in contact with.
How about a back-to-local movement for businesses who are tired of losing business to the Amazon’s of the world. I’m thinking a local presence in my virtual neighborhood, where the gas station lists their current prices (one can hope!), and the local grocery displays advertised specials.
Could it be that we could see a resurgence in local shopping? Is it time for the Mom and Pop stores that were pushed out by Wal-Mart to push back?
http://alwayson.goingon.com/permalink/post/22851
Posted by: Carter F Smith | January 6, 2008 6:06 PM | Permalink to Comment