Local businesses have started embracing social media to boost sales, increase traffic to their websites, and gain local and national recognition. According to Erik Qualman, author of the blog and book, Socialnomics, engaging in social media is now the number one activity on the web.  In these hard-pressed economic times, social media has become a new advertising outlet for small businesses because it is more economical than traditional advertising and is proving to be extremely effective.

“Social media is great for small businesses, especially those that can’t afford expensive advertisements.  It allows them to connect with their customers and offers a more targeted and measurable way to reach them,” said owner and Creative Commander of Whizbang, Ellen Curtis.

Rosie’s Workwear, a San Luis Obispo company that designs and sells coveralls and overalls for women, increased their business with a mix of social media and online advertising through Facebook, Twitter, a Rosies’ blog, Google AdWords and Facebook ads.  Whizbang led the projects that gained Rosie’s enough exposure to be featured on the Rosie O’Donnell Radio Show.

Whizbang developed a “Dirtiest Rosies” contest using Facebook ads where participants would send in pictures of themselves covered in dirt to win a pair of Rosies’ overalls.  Along with the ad, they used Rosies’ blog, Facebook and Twitter to promote the contest, reaching over 2 million targeted women at a fraction of the cost of traditional media.  Rosies gained 40% more Facebook friends in May than in April.  Monthly sales also increased 507% in May 2010 compared to May 2009.  Through the use of social media, Rosies has been able to reach a national audience at an affordable price.

“I will be honest, I was pressured into doing it because it was ‘the thing to do.’  After a few months, I realized that it was the best thing I could have done.  For the money I was spending on social media, I got a lot more exposure than I was with traditional ads and was reaching a much bigger audience.  It has helped my company grow so much in the past year,” said Owner of Rosies, Sharon Moore.

If businesses don’t know how to begin profiting from social media, there are various courses offered on it.  Whizbang is offering courses all summer, focusing specifically on marketing and advertising through social media.  Business owners, as well as anyone who wants to learn more about social media, can sign up at www.whizbangideas.com/whizinars.