Running a business? 7 must-have social-media tools

Whether your company is new, just starting to turn a profit or already successful, as an entrepreneur you should be constantly evaluating the tools that will help get your business to the next level. 

What social-media tools make the most sense for you? It depends on your company size, your industry, and your social-media goals. It also depends on what type of social networking you enjoy and see yourself continuing to use.

7 critical social-media tools to consider for your business:

1. Facebook – With major corporations previewing sales on their Facebook fan pages, this 500-million-plus user site isn’t just for tweens and college students anymore. Its fastest-growing demographic is people over age 35. To add fans and generate excitement, consider promoting special offers or holding exclusive contests.
   
   
2. YouTube – Most likely you’ve been on YouTube and chuckled at a video or two, but have you thought about how it could help your business? Perhaps your products can benefit from dynamically creative video overviews? Your marketing strategy can include a viral video strategy that gets you wide exposure at a relatively low cost.
   
   
3. LinkedIn – This is the place where professionals power network. Answer questions for the site’s nearly 80 million users or ask them, scope out who’s viewing your business’ profile, update your status with your needs and successes.
   
   
4. Twitter – Twitter is the social network to watch. With almost 200 million users and growing at a phenomenal rate – up 343% year-over-year as of September 2009, Nielsen reports. New features such as lists and retweet tracking are helping users form new connections. A new interface includes a dynamic right panel featuring videos and images – no need to open a new window to view.
   
   
5.  Basecamp – A robust and cost-effective Web-based project management and collaboration tool. Basecamp features to-do lists, milestones for important due-dates, file sharing, blog-style messaging, wiki-style writeboards, time tracking, and integration with the first-rate group chat product Campfire. Basic plans for small businesses begin at $24 a month.
   
   
6. Foursquare – The Foursquare secret? Good, old-fashioned discount coupons, delivered in a new and engaging way. Via Foursquare (or other location-based apps) you can offer instant discounts – just like the ones many businesses place in direct mailings – to customers who are not only interested in your business, but who are physically near your business. And, at least to start, you can try the service at no charge.
   
   
7. Your blog and local/specialized forums – If you can write well and have the time, blogging can be a powerful (and free!) way to raise awareness about what your business does. The content updates also help your site’s search rankings. Reach a wider audience with guest posts on popular industry forums. If your business is local, neighborhood forums may be a good option.