According to a recent survey by The NY Enterprise Report 71% of their readers are using social media to increase business with 41% blogging regularly.

Of the social networking sites, 60% find LinkedIn to be the most effective for increasing business, followed by a Facebook at 31%.

Of the variety of online marketing venues, e-newsletters top the list with 76% saying they are Very Effective or Somewhat Effective.

One insight noted by publisher Robert Levin is the surprising number of small businesses that do not have websites but are still participating in social media. This may just be a reflection of the type of businesses that make up the Report’s readership but more likely has to do with a misunderstanding on how to best leverage social media to drive business.

Have you ever had a salesman come to the door trying to sell power washing or gutter guards? They give their pitch but when asked for a business card they don’t have one. It is like that.

Every business should have a website even if it is just to be listed on Google.

Think of it this way: Participating in a social community is like attending a cocktail party. Having guests visit your website is like hosting a cocktail party.

Beyond the Recession: Surviving on Main Street

Hosted by Wall Street Journal and WCBS Business Reporter Joe Connolly, the WCBS Small Business Breakfast has become the meeting place for business owners and operators. Come network, hear how others are Surviving on Main Street. Ask questions, take notes, and bring business cards.

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 16th – Doors open for networking at 7:30a.
Speaking program begins at 8:30a.

WHERE:
Stamford Hilton
One Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902

Ticket Price: $25

Wendy Caplan-Carroll of Constant Contact
Despite Facebook and Twitter, email is still the killer app and Wendy will speak on “the power of email marketing” and tell us what most people don’t realize about permission based marketing, ways to get feedback from recipients, segmenting lists, what to write – and what not to write and new ways to marry your emails with your social networking.

Joshua Crandall, founder of Clever Commute on Metro North
Josh left a corporate job and founded the popular and fast growing social network business that allows fellow riders to ease and speed each others’ commutes. Josh is a pioneer in peer to peer networks and mobile business. Small businesses are learning new ways to do very effective targeted advertising on clever commute alerts. He will also tell us what small businesses need to know to get ready for mobile sales.

David Lewis, President of OperationsInc Human Resources Outsourcing and Consulting of Stamford
David will speak about “small business success on a budget.” David started OperationsInc in his home in 2001. Now he offers his employees flex time, telecommuting and strong benefits. He has discovered news ways of networking and selling and even raised rates during the recession. He uses technology and smarts to generate PR like the big guys and generates 4 different newsletters a month.

Irv Cohen, President of American International Lifestyles
Irv has opened 4 new Apogee Pilates and wellness centers in White Plains, Bedford Hills and Manahttan. Irv is a graduate of Brooklyn College and Pace University, and he is a CPA. He was formerly on Wall Street and says “the fitness industry is not a niche – it’s a wave.” He’ll speak on how to find new business opportunities in the wellness industry and on how to grow business while the economy is coming out of a recession.

Mitchell Grossinger Etess, CEO of Mohegan Sun
Mitchell will speak on the future of discretionary spending. He will give us marketing ideas for small businesses based on what works for Mohegan Sun with a huge marketing budget. Mitchell understands smaller businesses. He grew up on the grounds of Grossinger’s Hotel, which was his family’s business, where he worked in virtually every capacity, before attending Columbia University and going on to work for Donald Trump and becoming CEO of Mohegan Sun.

For tickets call 914.495.3420 or click here to buy online.