How do you use social networking sites to promote a local business?

Question by howtosecret: How do you use social networking sites to promote a local business?
I am marketing director for a local music instruction business. I would love to harness the power of social networking sites to bring in more customers, but from what I understand, those sites are best used for when you have a business for the online community.

(Of course, I understand the HUGE companies using this form of marketing, and those looking for employment… but what about the small, brick and mortar?)

What do you all think?

Best answer:

Answer by great days with you
Its an idea and thought all business holders have and a good one. The problem is that people who are on these sites are only interested in promoting their business and less interested about yours.

A great suggestion is to yes still join those sites, don’t psam, follow the rules and BUILD contacts along the way. As you build contacts try to take an interest in you contacts biz and tell them how your’s can help theirs together.

Also do what other business holders do – they do use free sites – make use of them. Many sites ( but not all) allow the advertising of businesses.

Directories:
http://www.dmoz.com

Free Classifieds Online accepting Biz:
http://www.sellit-right.com
http://www.classifieds.com
http://www.loot.com

Another idea is to create your own unique social network allowing other businesses to join you- with your company, content etc beingy at the top obviously because you’d own it.

The key is to never give up and if eBay didn’t or Facebook didn’t you shouldn’t too! They all started small and probably with people rejecting their services at first lol.

Add your own answer in the comments!