There is NO right or wrong answer here, this is just a open question about how you use the tools. or IF you use them at all to support your business.

I tend to use it more for interacting with others and learning at the moment. I get more relevant and concise information via social media than I would if I searched the internet for weeks. By interacting with a different people you can get a wider variety of thoughts and opinions. Then use what works for you and file what does not.

Hi John, I definitely use social media sties for my business but not really the way some people might think. I don't do much, if any, direct advertising for my selling sites, but I use the social sites to LEARN how to promote my business. I've learned how to set up and write a blog and what kind of content to include that's of interest to the audience that I sell to. I found my blog designer via social media, and I network with other vintage jewelry sellers on facebook, ebay discussion groups, and occasionally twitter.

I've learned how to optimize my web sites for SEO so buyers can find me, how to set up effective listing formats for ebay and Ruby Lane, and how others deal with problems online sellers face. I'm also in the process of developing my own web store and I gleaned most of the info on the mechanics of that via one social site or another.

I've met some wonderful friends on the social pages and recently attended a gathering of serious vintage charm collectors from all over the country. We all felt like we had been best friends forever. They were all willing to share everything they knew about their passion, which of course helps me research the pieces I sell.

I honestly believe that I would have given up a long time ago without the wonder folks I've met on social sites. And now instead of facing failure I'm more excited than ever about the future of my business.

Thanks for asking this question. I'll be interested to get others views. You're the best! Best regards, Fitzcharming

I use Facebook to interact with others. It is more for information than anything else. I have met some great minds in the business(you for one) that I would have never met. I read every post by every friend. This keeps me current. I do also use Facebook to promote my various ventures but that is actually a secondary, by far, benefit.
I have used discussion boards since I started selling online in 2000 and still find them to be the best place to go if I have a specific problem and I need an answer fast. I have found there are more people that read every post on the discussion boards than there are on Facebook.
I do use Twitter sparingly and have never really gotten much from it.