Social Marketing for Businesses

There are four social marketing websites considered to be effective tools for businesses (in order of effectiveness): Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook (Social Media Survey). Here is an explanation of each tool along with links to articles with great ideas for how each can be used.

Twitter

Social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read each others' updates, known as tweets (free). Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters, displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to other users - known as followers - who have subscribed to them.
Four Ways in Which Enterprises are Using Twitter
How to Use Twitter for Business
50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Business

LinkedIn

Business-oriented social networking site mainly used for professional networking (free and fee).
Suggestions from LinkedIn on Using LinkedIn for Business Development
100+ Smart Ways to Use LinkedIn
20 Ways to Use LinkedIn Productively

YouTube

Video sharing website on which users can upload and share videos (free).
Online Video Marketing: Ten Ways You Can Use YouTube to Promote Your Online Content
Marketing Your Business on YouTube
YouTube Brands: 5 Outstanding Leaders in YouTube Marketing

Facebook Page and Other Business-Related Facebook Applications

Social networking website (free and fee). Users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Facebook Pages are public profile pages that enables you to share your business and products with Facebook users. When your fans interact with your Facebook Page, stories linking to your Page can go to their friends via News Feed. As these friends interact with your Page, News Feed keeps driving word-of-mouth to a wider circle of friends. In addition to Facebook Pages, there are a wide variety of business tools on Facebook for promoting your company, product, or service.
Now Any Business Can Tap 53 Million Facebook Users (for Free)
Facebook for Businesses (in header area, click on 'Advertising', 'Pages', 'Lexicon', 'Share', and 'Connect' to learn more)
30+ Apps for Doing Business on Facebook

For additional ideas on marketing online, visit Online Marketing Strategies and Tips.