Starting up a new business?  I know from experience that it's a difficult time.  There's so much to do – sorting out finances, finding the right bank account, writing a business plan.  And then there's finding customers.

A carefully thought out marketing plan is so important to the success of your business.   Who will your customers be?   Where do they live?  What age brackets are they in?  Are you selling to end customers or to businesses?   And just how should you advertise?  And how much should you spend?

Most business owners will look to traditional means of advertising:  you'll probably have your own website;  there's always Yell.com;  you might even try trade press and newspapers;  or hand out flyers.

But what about social media?  With 500 million users on Facebook alone, more people use these social platforms than click on Google.  Your customers – whoever they are – are on these sites.  Talking to friends and contacts about businesses just like yours.   And if you don't snap them up, you can bet your bottom dollar that your competitors will.

Putting aside some of your marketing and advertising spend towards social media could just be the smartest move you make for your fledgling business.  For a small amount each month, you could buy yourself a social media presence on the main networks, have your messages and accounts maintained, and start to build a following for your business.  Giving you time to focus on all the other things you have to do to get your business up and running.

So, if you're starting up your business, don't let it stand in neutral.  Use the huge potential of social media to reach your new customers.