I’m curious?

How many small businesses here in the SME club are information businesses i.e social media services, graphic design, advertising, coaching, consulting (even though you may have some products like books/guides etc)

How many are product based business?  Product in the sense of a tangible, physical inventory like antiques, jewelry, small handmade widgets, etc, etc.

I ask because I’m trying to organize my head around some thoughts I’ve been having about how these 2 types of business have rather different social media needs.

Thanks – Nan

Because I create and manage online content for clients (making my business a B2B service business, by the way), I’m finding even product-based businesses are in the information business. To reach their ideal customers, at least a portion of their online presence must include valuable information that answers the questions and concerns of their target market instead of just constantly selling.

@debbielynnava – yes I agree.  Information, content, and engagement in support of our main product business. It makes it a big job to do the SM outreach on top of doing the actual ”business”  :) 

@jeniferswanson – very interesting.  And you are in a product business with a highly perishable inventory (at least my silver doesn’t wilt!) Where are you located?

@dakotalocal – TY for your answer Jon.

I’m not quite sure where I’m going with this yet…but I can feel the beginnings of an idea in the back of my head. Thanks for your responses…the feedback is really helpful.

@Nancystuckwisch I’m in LaPorte Indiana.  It’s in the Northwest corner of the state at the bottom tip of Lake Michigan.

 @nancystuckwisch My virtual assistant business isn’t so much product based as it is service based. B2B, but with administrative services rather than products.

@nancystuckwisch great question!  We are product based and sell handcrafted jewelry.

@nancystuckwisch I am services only, but you need to look at all aspects carefully to identify opportunities. It requires a full understanding of your business and objectives to craft your plan.

I offer marketing services, mostly virtually, so I would say location-based platforms are not a priority for me. But a retail location can do quite a bit with them.

Just an example. Also if there is an industry group that has a community for your market niche, that might offer opportunity.

Thanks for all these great answers! @joanmuschampfagnani I’m in total agreement it takes a macro as well as a micro perspective to craft and execute a biz plan.

As I said Ive got an idea just taunting me…I think I can grab ahold of it and then it darts away again! 

Nice to meet more product people. @robertbaker @evanthiajewelrydesign do both of you have an offline location as well as your online presence?  

@rich-brooks – not too late at all Rich.  Thanks.

@deairby…ahhh infomration overload…it’s a familiar state once you dip your toes into the online world

@nancystuckwisch   Hi, my business is Social Media Consultant, developing Facebook pages for businesses (local but wanting to develop it globally, and Facebook at present, but that will be growing into other social media platforms later)
PS Hope you have had an awesome New Year’s eve!!!