Mark Whitwell is Tweeting, Simon Borg Olivier is on YouTube, Baron Bapiste is blogging.

With the explosion of online communication forums and viral marketing, where word spreads online like fire in wind, there’s pressure on small business owners to jump on in.

It appears we have something of great importance to say. But do we?

Who’s listening and who isn’t that we’d like to be listening? And where’s the most appropriate place to say our piece?

1. What makes you different?
Is your yoga teaching style irreverent and funny?
Are all your spa products organic?
Do you host fantastically original and creative retreats?

2. Do you have an opinion?
Are you a passionate advocate for your craft?
Do you think other wellness businesses miss the mark?
Do you know how to make people’s lives easier/more meaningful/more relaxed/happier?

3. How do your audience like to receive info?
Do you have a small, loyal clientele who like to receive info via email, telephone or face-to-face?
Is your audience tech enthusiasts ready to act quickly on one-day offers?
Does your audience want to participate in a conversation?

4. What can you commit to?
Do you say ‘yes’ to everything and then have no time to yourself?
How much is your time worth and how much can you afford to pay?
Are you overwhelmed with possibilities?
 
Ideally, all your communications, from your business cards and signage, to your e-newsletters, blog and Twitter account seamlessly cross-promote each other with your message tweaked for different audiences and different mediums.

You don’t have to do everything – just chose your medium and your message and commit. Remember that you’re starting conversations, so don’t walk away mid-sentence, your audience won’t appreciate it.

This isn’t rocket science, but it pays to take the time to consider what you want to say – and where you should say it.

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