Find Local Businesses Through Twitter™

Here at ThinkLocal®, we’re huge fans of Twitter™. We use Twitter to find new articles pertaining to local search; share information that can be beneficial to our followers; explore hot discussion topics via the Twitter Trends function; and get ideas on how we can make ThinkLocal a bigger and better local search directory. Twitter is also great for finding local businesses in your area. With their search function, you can enter a phrase like “St. Louis restaurant” to view tweets (posts from Twitter members) that contain those keywords. Your results will vary: One person might be notifying his followers that he is going to eat at his favorite St. Louis restaurant, while another Twitter user might be spreading the word about the new sushi restaurant she just opened in downtown St. Louis. You’ll also find posts that contain reviews of St. Louis restaurants, as well as tweets asking for restaurant recommendations from other Twitter users.

Next time you’re looking for a local business, point your browser to Twitter and take advantage of the information you can discover through a simple search. Once you’ve found a local business, visit http://www.ThinkLocal.com to view its online business listing, read reviews, find directions, and much more.

Help Local Establishments: Shop Locally

There’s no denying it. Times are tough. Even the largest, most powerful corporations are suffering as a result of the economic downturn. When these big dogs are suffering, you know that the negative impact on small mom-and-pop shops are tenfold.

Think about the neighborhood ice cream parlor you used to visit with your parents after a long day at the pool or the local diner where you had your first date. These local businesses will most likely become the next casualties of the horrific economy, without your help.

Take the initiative to preserve the businesses in your community by simply choosing to do business with local establishments over large national chains. Encourage your friends to do the same. You can easily find local businesses that offer the products or services you need by searching the ThinkLocal® online business directory. This online business directory is completely free to use.

Want to Be Listed?
If you are a business owner, you can take ownership of or create a business listing in ThinkLocal for free. First, search for your business name. If you find your listing, you can take ownership of the listing by clicking on the ‘Manage this Listing’ button and filling out the provided forms. If you do not find your listing, you can create one from scratch. Just click on the ‘Join Today’ link located at the top-right corner of ThinkLocal.com and complete the forms provided.

Small Business Owners Should Help Other Small Business Owners

As a small business owner, you want people to come to your business – consumers who are seeking your products and services. You also want to be able to compete with larger businesses that can offer more and charge less. Well, you aren’t alone.

The majority of U.S. businesses are small businesses. Most of these businesses possess similar weaknesses and experience the same threats and obstacles. Despite their likenesses, many small business owners neglect to do their part to help other small business owners.

Every business owner is also a consumer, and like all consumers, business owners have the power to choose who they support. Therefore, the next time you need a product or service, consider doing business with a small business owner in your area. Then encourage him or her to do the same. Every little bit counts.

Online business directories like ThinkLocal® or YellowPages.com™ make it easy to find a variety of local businesses. Online business directories are quick, convenient and free to use!