I was talking to a potential client last week for whom social media is perfectly placed to help them with what they need, due to the visual nature of what they do. The choices of what they could do – budgets withstanding – was really quite incredible, but therein lays the problem: with time as the key investment the main message here is KEEP IT SIMPLE.

It’s all very well for the likes of Starbucks with its dedicated social media team (six people, I understand) and multiple platform engagement, but what about the small business that recognises that social media can help promote its brand, showcase its wares and engage with customers but can’t throw a great deal of time at it?

It’s easy, really. Simply identify a few platforms which you think will best represent you, spend a little time getting content on there and then start engaging. Most platforms are free, which allows you to focus on ‘fishing where the fish are’ (horrible cliché, I know, but wonderfully illustrative). Often you can syndicate this content on multiple platforms, so you don’t need to reinvent the wheel (there’s another cliché…).

Depending on your audience, focus on:

I’ve been experimenting with multiple platforms and you can now find RunMarketing on Facebook, Twitter, iTunes, Slideshare and YouTube.

Further reading: Social Networking and Social Media for Small Business (White Paper)

Further listening: Social Media for Small Business (podcast)