Social Media Savvy: 5 Free Ways to Take Your Hazelwood Business to the Next Level

As social media continues to grow and evolve and more businesses step into the scene, it's almost imperative for businesses to develop and maintain an online presence in order to remain competitive.

According to a TechJournal article last year, businesses using social media to attract new customers rose by 43 percent during the course of a year.

But if you’re a business owner or an entrepreneur looking to break into the social engagement landscape, there are some pain-free ways to get started. Here are five to get you started.

(Don't forget to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with what your neighbors are talking about.)

1. Claim your Patch listing: With 24 Patch sites across the St. Louis area, small businesses can claim their listing and upload photos, update their description and get rated and reviewed by local customers.

2. Set up a Facebook page: When you set up a Facebook page, you can use it to connect with your customers (both current and potential) and to share specials, promotions, sales and company and industry news. 

3. Start a Twitter account: Twitter allows you to connect with customers on a different level (and often, to a different kind of customer.) Here's where you'll find the younger crowd and many social media-savvy creatives, businesspeople and more. Get your message across in 140 characters and connect in realtime. Note: Twitter is simple once you get the hang of it, but it can be a bit intimidating if you've never tried it. Don't be afraid to take it slow at first, or even to ask someone for help.

4. Set up a Pinterest account: Pinterest is a bit different from Facebook and Twitter that it showcases photos that interest you, and with a restaurant, gym, boutique owner or other business, that could prove to be a big deal for you to showcase what you do. Read more about Pinterest and get an invite from Hazelwood Patch editor Angie Atkinson!

5. Start a blog: A blog allows you to show your expertise to customers and to the public for your industry. Several bloggers on Patch are local business owners who share their expertise such as Masseuse Gail Wainasen, Certified Financial Planner Sheldon Harber and financial advisor Gregory Younger.

Read More:

• How Hazelwood Patch Can Help Your Small Business: A Dozen Ways It's All About You
• SCORE Helps Business Owners
• Small Business Owners: Free and Cheap Training Opportunities