Don't shut your virtual door, be social online

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There's something my boss said recently during an interview that has been on my brain lately. He said that a recurring theme for small business owners is that they are too busy working in their business, they miss out on the opportunity to work on their business.

I think we all know this to be true, but we rarely take a moment to think about it. And I believe this is a problem when it comes to being social online. I hear from many business owners that they are concerned about how much time they will spend online, but what many folks don't realize is that it is important to nurture your client relationships both in person and virtually.

People are spending more time online, and this is just increasing. Case in point: I am always on the hunt for fun, retro office supplies and even though there are great places in Austin I could shop, there is one website that pops up on my favorite blogs and on my Facebook feed quite often. They are always on my mind, so next time I plan to shop for office supplies, I will probably turn to their website before I check out any stores.

We all listen to our friends (word of mouth is king!), and this is a great opportunity for your customers, friends, and family members to be your ambassadors. Just a quick "wow this is great!" or a snapshot of a product or service can help drive traffic to your business - both in person and online.

Don't shut your virtual door. And when you make the decision to be online, make sure you engage your audience. It is not just about what you have to say, but what your audience has to say.