Most businesses these days realize that something new is on the scene in the wide world of marketing, and that it's called social media, but many don't know where to start or what to do with it. Others have a general understanding of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, but worry about how much time it may take up or how to manage the messages.

While the concerns are valid, the reality is undeniable: marketing through social media is experiencing explosive growth, and if you are not in it, you are missing some significant opportunities.

Why should you consider marketing your business through social media? Here are some points to ponder:

1) It's very low cost, often free, and you can have as large a presence as you choose

2) It's a great way to grow brand recognition, generate leads and build your business

3) It's a free way to do competitive research

4) You'll find out first-hand what your customers are saying about you and you can address customer complaints promptly and effectively, enhancing customer service

5) You can drive traffic to your website

It makes good sense from so many perspectives, and can actually save you a lot of time in the long run. Favourite sites for business marketing are Twitter, Facebook and Youtube, although it seems new social media sites pop up every day. One of the best things about using the most popular sites is that you can arrange your settings so that one entry updates all your sites simultaneously, a very convenient feature.

Don't know how to get started? There are a ton of "how to" articles and video clips online to help you along. You can also take a workshop or ask a friend with experience. People who know the value of social media are usually more than happy to share information.

Of course you can start by joining the Chamber's Facebook page and following us on Twitter. 

Tell us what you think about social media as a business marketing tool.