Social + Websites for Small Business

When it comes to getting the word out, savvy construction firms use press releases over town criers, or do they? For larger contractors this is often your marketing department working in conjunction with a hired agency that handles your news. For the small and medium sized construction firm your business development, sales or marketing person will submit press releases to their local business journal or newspaper and hope it gets published. You of course add your news to your company’s construction website, but you’re business is missing some easy and free exposure.

Today’s modern town criers are influentials, those individuals that leverage social media and their networks to get the word out. Social Media allows you connect with influential news propagators and share your press releases on your Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn Company Page, YouTube and Twitter. This is a bit of work and many businesses have not created profiles in multiple places. Some of this can be done from your company blog (the best 1st step in socializing your firm), to automatically share to other social sites. I’ve been using Google’s Feedburner for years to improve distribution, readership and make my blog feed subscribable. With feeds, you can use iGoogle to make Your Own Customized Newspaper or offer your content (blogs, tweets, etc) through a variety of Apps for iPads, Android devices and smartphones (Google Currents, Flipboard, Pulse, etc). Try consuming my content in Google Currents from your smartphone.

Now there’s another free option that’s easier for the AEC firm on a budget. It’s called PressItt
What’s so special is that PressItt gives you one centralized place for your Social Media News Release (SMNR). Once submitted your SMNR goes to the major search engines and social sites. Giving you a professional news page may be the difference in having your news picked up by journalists and news agencies. While you can embed YouTube video, have RSS feeds etc, you’ll want to look at the full list offeatures of PressItt. There’s even an option for your own newsroom (free and paid versions). Now imagine your construction, architectue or Engineering business brand and the professional image you will have by including photos, 3D BIM video renderings, etc while easily social sharing your stories and press on the world wide web.

Share what press releases you’ve recently socialized in the comments and if you have found other tools you would recommend. Before you go, please think of one construction business owner you know would find this helpful and share it with them via email, on on your social sites or in your favorite LinkedIn Group. Let’s help everyone make 2012 a big success!