For those business users who are still unsure whether social media such as Facebook and Twitter is worth the effort, or cannot see the point in gathering twitter followers or sending tweets, a new research study from Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate which shows that social friends and followers are more likely to buy from businesses and brands they follow should change their minds.

The study found that more than one-half of Facebook users said they would be more likely to buy from brands they followed and that figure rose to 67% of Twitter users.

60% of Facebook users said that they recommend businesses they follow to a friend.  With Twitter that rose to nearly 80%!

So, if your business is not on Facebook or Twitter, now is the time to make your presence known.  Follow these few simple steps to get going:

1. Even if you are not ready yet – reserve your space.  If your business name is similar to someone else’s then chances are they are reading this same blog and will be reserving the name you want.  Get your Facebook and Twitter names now and post when you are ready.
2. Keep Business and Personal separate!  For Facebook get a Fan page for your business.  For Twitter register your business page under its name not yours – even if you are a one-person business.  Why?  Because people don’t want to know about your personal life or see what your family is up to.  If they do then allow them to be your friend/follower on your personal page too.
3. Keep your posts informational.  Your fans want information not “sell, sell, sell!”.  They want coupons and discounts. They want to know about the new item/product you have. But they also want other information that may be useful.  Position yourself as the expert on your industry, not just force sales on them.  They chose to follow you so respect their choice.  We made a commitment with this blog to provide information only and never sell on here.  If readers want to know more about something we write here then they can contact us but we do not provide links in our blogs to sell our services – this blog is for information only – our other sites will highlight our services.
4. Add links to your websites, email signatures and business cards. Let them know you have your pages and invite them to follow/be an fan.  If you don’t know how to do this, either search on the sites or contact us and we will be glad to help.
5. Add content.  And add it often.  Ideally at least weekly.  It can be from anywhere or anything useful. Your new product, just a status update, from your blog or from something you read.  Not sure what your fans want? Ask them.  Use a survey, forum, discussion board, email, letter or any other feedback and then give them the information they want.

Remember give your fans and followers what they want and they will keep following you and when they are ready, they will buy from you.