Local Businesses, Let's Harness Social Media

Small businesses are important. Some say they are the backbone of our economy.

But building a small business takes time, even on Facebook: Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch has 488 Facebook fans. The Grind Cafe has 154 likes. Salon Gloss has 266 likes and Nutritional Designs has 205 Facebook fans.

Some local businesses have even fewer, though. So, I'm proposing a special Facebook exchange. I'll post about you, if you post about me. Then, other local businesses can "share" that post from the Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch Facebook page on their own pages to help support other local businesses.

If you are a Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant area business with an independent Facebook page and you'd like to participate, this is what I need from you:

• Business contact name and phone number
• What you'd like me to post on Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch's Facebook page
• The URL for your business' Facebook page

Keep in mind that you'll want your business name somewhere in the post so I can tag it; tagging is how readers will find your page and (hopefully!) decide to "like" it.

This is what I'll likely be asking you to post on your business Facebook page:

Do you follow Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch? mountpleasant.patch.com has all the latest news and business information for Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant, and you can subscribe for the free daily newsletter at http://mountpleasant.patch.com/newsletters.

So, email the information to heather.asiyanbi@patch.com, and I'll let you know what date I've assigned for your Facebook exchange. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line, too!