Internet marketing has changed dramatically within the last five years. There are so many choices of where to spend your time and money when marketing on the internet. Between social marketing, keeping up with your online reputation, there is not much left over for more traditional marketing methods.

Large companies have started to hire social marketing management firms to manage the plethora of messages about their company zipping across the viral network that almost seams out of control. I have been paid to monitor online social conversations as well as create buzz, tell unwanted truths, and promote products through daily online conversations.

Luckily small businesses do not have much of a problem with online reputations and resolving so called electronic bad mouthing of their products. Most small businesses need to focus on getting the word out. But social marketing may not be the best way.

Careful consideration of the company's target market as well as network buzz created by some great news article will help determine the probability of success using social marketing.

Let me give you an example. A large wireless phone company may hire multiple companies to monitor and reply to news articles, upset customers, new legislature and other public eye or awareness issues that are published via the internet or social networks. In contrast a small local pizza company could take advantage of the local message boards, local social internet groups and publish coupons, socials or events they might have to attract new business.

There is a place for everyone on the internet, but be smart about it. If a small company does not have a huge amount of money to hire social marketing specialists, they still can create pages and advertise them to their existing customers. Collecting email address of their repeat customers and notifying them by email, website and social groups of the promotions and upcoming events.