One more tool I would add to your list is commentino. this is a brand new (launched yesterday) tool for publishing all your comments to one web page. comments are authenticated, real-time and it works from any web site on the web.

my comments at http://www.commentino.com/orim

It would depend on your business requirements and target audience, but some of the ones that have come back with proven results are (in no particular order):

1. Twitter. You rightly mentioned it, and it is growing into an excellent networking tool for new business/clients for many business owners and professionals. It is still relatively young, and perhaps it needs a more business-oriented model as well (which Yammer is trying but not too successfully, at least in my opinion). But for a cost-free method of integrating with the audience you’re after, it’s an excellent medium.

2. Stumbleupon. Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to marketing your business. Offers excellent traffic streams to your website or blog, and there is also a dedicated Stumblupon Ad option (similar to Google AdWords and Yahoo Sponsored Search). Clicks are $0.05 – I personally won two new clients from my Stumbleupon Ad campaign.

3. BackType. Another new app, yet one that could potentially change many marketing outlooks completely. Offers you a look at what’s being said about you or your brand via blog comments. This is a great way to not only improve any poor performing areas of your company – it’s a great way to find out what’s being said about your competitors and target their disenchanted audience with an improved version of the same product.

4. Ecademy has also won me several new clients, as well as put me in touch with numerous mentors that have helped me improve both my business and social community aspects of my company.

5. MicroMagnate.com is another new site aimed at micro business owners. It encourages members to work with each other – on projects, on relationship building and more. I know of at least 5 businesses on there that have provided work for each other, as well as recommend services to their own clients where relevant.

These are just some of the numerous ways that social media is already showing ROI for the companies and professionals that put the time in to “get it”.

The problem with social media isn’t the medium, generally – it’s the businesses and professionals that see it as a campaign tool as opposed to a strategy. I work in PR and sadly my industry is one of the more guilty parties in this respect – we can but try and change their views.

However, as I say, for those willing to be open to ideas and advice, the rewards are certainly there. Much like any business model, really.

Let me make the same offer to you that I just made to Susan … that if you will write a piece for my blog, I would be happy to post it, provided you stick to the subject social media.

Thanks,

David

I really appreciate your comment. But I also believe strongly that the concept of online social media risks failing if it cannot fundamentally demonstrate value and relevance to business and the support systems of business, including PR, marketing and advertising. That has yet to happen.

I merely use Facebook and Twitter as examples in this post, and have written about others.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could expand upon your perspective, and will propose that I post a piece from you as a post on my blog, if you so desire.

David

The truth is, although social media is not the be all and end all of the world for business, it does have its place. There are a lot of really smart people out here right now trying to figure out exactly what that means. Don’t be so quick to discount their views.

Fair enough. Wouldn’t be the first time I missed a point.

Would you please list your top social media sites, particularly for business to enhance brand awareness and ROI.

Appreciate your comment.

David

If you look further into the medium, you’ll find the businesses and companies that are using social media to increase their brand awareness and ROI (and succeeding).

Perhaps it’s because you’re looking at the social media sites that everyone has heard of, like Facebook or Twitter, as opposed to how social media should really be used for (and by) businesses?