Vine
Vine is a video-sharing app on Apple’s iOS platform that allows users to post and share six second video clips. Launched in 2013, users can utilize hashtags for the topics of their videos in the same fashion that people use hashtags on Twitter to follow conversations. Vine is the #1 free app in the U.S; businesses are beginning to use this app in grassroots projects to showcase their products and build a buzz around new announcements. The video sharing app caters to those viewers with short attention spans, so it may be just what you need to target a young demographic.
Path
While the goal of most social networks is to expand your connections, Path is the opposite, existing as a private network for only your closest contacts and business colleagues. Path is an iPhone and Android app that documents your daily activities. Path allows users to check-in to document their daily movement while also posting multimedia content. This app is similar to Foursquare. By having users check in at your business, you’ll gain free advertising as patrons of your business broadcast their activity to their respective social circles. You can also post pictures of your products on your own page.
Yammer
Yammer is a social network that’s entirely focused on your business. In order to join your business’s Yammer network, an applicant must have a working email address from your company’s domain. You can also allow suppliers and customers to communicate with your company. You could use Yammer as an intranet to communicate with your employees or team to post schedules and update internal information or organize events for your company. This eliminates long email chains while enabling a cohesive chat.
Bump
Bump was conceived in August 2009, in an effort to answer the question, “Is there an easy and safe way to contact someone if you don’t know their email or phone number?” This crafty app allows users to share files by tapping their phone with another user. The settings are user-managed. You set the rules to determine what BUMP experience is right for you. You can share pictures, videos or voice messages. Texting is disabled using the BUMP app, and no personal information can be shared. A voice prompted messaging assistant can be accessed by any smartphone to enable BUMP’s “eyes-on-the-road,” hands-free, communication platform. This could be used within your small business to easily transfer files and contacts. Bump could eventually eliminate the need for email. Right now, it’s a good tool to work efficiently on the go.
Social Media On Paint Roller Button courtesy of Idea go / www.freedigitalphotos.net
Which small business social media apps have you discovered?