While everyone today knows that social media is important for small business promotion, few truly understand how to do it right.
There are some key factors you should keep in mind when marketing your business through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Here are a few tips to help you make the best possible impression on your customers.

1. Remember your brand.
   The social media platform is an excellent way to establish your brand and keep it fresh in the minds of your customers.
   Remember that every post you make on your small business social account is representing your business so do not post anything that you would not want associated with your brand.
   
2. Do not mix business with family and friends.
   While I am sure your family and friends are very proud of you and your business, your business account is not the place to have them linked in.
   You should allow your personality to come through in your business account, but you should keep your personal life separate from your business life.
   Having a family get together in your place of business would not be appropriate and therefore it is not appropriate in your business social accounts.
   Apply the same rules to your social account as you would a physical store/office location.
   
3. Keep it professional.
   Remember that this is a representation of your business to your existing and potential customers.
   Do not engage in mud slinging or squabbles.
   Do not bad mouth your competition.
   If you do get a negative response, work through it but keep your cool.
   You should have a plan of action already in place for such an event.
   This will allow you to stay rational and professional instead of simply reacting.
   
4. Public profile.
   As mentioned in the family and friends above, it is important that you keep the information on your business social media account to business matters.
   It is recommended that you have a separate account for personal use.
   These days, it seems that people are determined to publish everyone's "life's most embarrassing moments" online.
   You do not want this to happen to you on your business page.
   

Unless your target market is the "party hearty" college crowd and you are determined to show them you fit in, treat your Facebook and Twitter accounts like your place of business.
Keep it professional and remember your company brand in everything you do online.
Otherwise, your business reputation will suffer and you will spend a great deal of time and effort on damage control instead of business promotion.