Why your small business needs to use new media.

If you own a small business, you know you must advertise.

In a small community like ours, that probably means an ad in the weekly paper or a spot on the radio. If you are really forward-thinking, you probably have a website, too.

But there’s a new tool you should also have in your marketing toolbox, and it’s a powerful supplement to your traditional advertising.

It’s called New Media … and our new program at Northland Community & Technical College is here to show you what it is and how to use it.

And believe me, you want to use it. These statistics from a new Core Consumer New Media Study  explain why.

“Almost 80 percent of new media users interact with companies or brands via new media sites and tools, an increase of 32 percent from 2008. And the frequency of interaction is increasing, too, with more than a third of users engaging companies or brands via new media at least once per week (up from one in four last year).” 

Of new media users:

• 72% feel a stronger connection to companies using new media (up from 56% in 2008)
• 68% feel better served (up from 57% in 2008)
• 74% have a more positive image of the business
• 70% are more willing to engage
• 64% have an improved opinion when one of their friends interacts
• and 52% choose to “follow/friend/or fan” a company or brand because it helps showcase their personality online

People ignore ads.

People don’t like being “sold.”

People seek out businesses that provide information online that helps them solve their problems.

The New Media program at Northland will help your small business learn what you need to know about blogs, web video, podcasts, and other social media that will revolutionize your marketing and give you a competitive advantage.

Tags: blogs, new media for business, northland community and technical college, podcasts, social media, web video