Social Media and Small Enterprise Opportunities

Social Media and Small Enterprise Opportunities

The average member of any social media platform, engages to have a good time through sharing memorable lighter moments in life. Others also engage in discussion of various topics and yet some use these platforms to gossip. Various interests groups have different forms of engagements within these platforms. Some companies have turned to Social Media to pursue aggressive digital and electronic online marketing. Civic and Non Profit Organisations have also taken to Social Media to campaign for their programs and or specific projects.

What makes Social Media appeal to almost all spheres of life is engagement. Most marketing campaigns suffer the challenge of arm twisting if not forcing potential clients, and most of their promises are not real. Because the very nurture of Social Media is to get participants to share precious moments and ideas, advertisements and marketing campaigns on these platforms, have the same flair. All promotions are based on active participation with the targeted audience. Potential clients are encouraged to re-tweet, to like to comment or even make an addition on a campaign. The promoter also has to respond to all comments, leaving the potential client with the feeling that their views are valued. This naturally builds loyalty which could be turned into potential business or repeat sales.

A small scale entrepreneur can penetrate an existing market or introduce a new product without a lot of investment in marketing campaigns. Building relationships does all the advertising. There is no better way to win someone's trust than to engage them in a conversation. Social Media offers a platform to engage with potential clients. Most conventional advertisements are based on artificial scenarios and promises that are seldom realized. A campaign on Social Media addresses the exact challenges of the potential client and the promises can be measured against an identified need. The potential client is able to engage with the supplier and discuss not only the details of the product or service but any other possible interventions in solving the situation.

Social Media provides more opportunities to small scale enterprises as they are able to engage with potential clients. There are automated systems that can be used to respond to client queries and inquiries, but its easy to distinguish responses that are not personal. Once the potential client feels that there are not being given individual attention, they may loose trust in the potential supplier. Social Media is available to everyone who owns a smart phone and most teen to adults own these gadgets. A entrepreneur with the zeal to appeal to any targeted market or grow their market share, can successfully do so, at the fraction cost of conventional advertising, through Social Media.

Social Media in the home - Responsible Parenting

Social Media is a platform that has various learning tools. Students can use it to do group studies with the assistance of various online communities. Connectivity and mobility makes it possible for students to tackle a lot of challenging aspects of their academic journey. However, smart phones from which social media is accessed can spell disaster if children are left to access it on their own. Children can share stories with their peers and educators will agree that story telling is a critical component in child development. But a story shared with the wrong audience can leave child exposed and vulnerable.

Social media can be a dangerous jungle that can inflict damage with long lasting consequences to children if not properly managed. In most if not all organisations, there are regulations on accessing social media during working hours. After hours, if one does not discipline themselves, social media can be a serious time waster. At school, children can be allowed to access academic applications and conduct research. What is accessed at school is guided and directed. Now, who is responsible for the children's activities on social media after school hours.

Responsible parenting requires that every parent be involved in their kids activities on social media. Being involved does not necessarily mean invading their privacy but giving guidance and direction on their social media activities.  Recently we had Facebook reminding us of content that they do not allow on their platform. But many times we have seen that very content appearing, even though its reported. There is a campaign currently running on Twitter against bullying. These are the dangers available to our kids at the click of a button.

Our kids will one time or the other be exposed to undesirable items on social media such as nudity, pornography, prostitution, vulgar language, bullying, gambling and addiction to games amongst other challenges. Our duty as parents is to let them know about these and how to avoiding them. As a parent, you are the child's first friend and they are bound to heed your advice. Whilst teachers and other relatives have a role to play, the bigger part belongs to the parent. In most cases, you the parent would have facilitated access to social media for your own child, and therefore you ought to practice responsible parenting when it comes to social media in your home.alson@alefinnovations.com