When and How to Use Social Media in Small Business

A lot of small businesses are jumping on the social media bandwagon, opening Facebook groups and Twitter accounts to reach out to current and potential customers online. But that doesn't mean social media is worth your time, Neal Schaffer explains in this Wall Street Journal article.

"Don't believe the hype," he says. "Understand what fits your business."

If a lot of your customers are online, then setting aside some time for social media might be beneficial. On the other hand, if you run a B2B operation or your company targets the older population, you might be wasting the time you spent setting up that Facebook or Twitter account.

Determining that you need a social media presence is just the first step; then you need to figure out how to use it. The article has guidance on that, too.