Local Businesses, Let's Harness Social Media

Small businesses are important. Some say they are the backbone of our economy.

And they don't particularly need to be that small on Facebook: Port Washington-Saukville Patch has 847 Facebook fans. The Port Washington Main Street Program Facebook page has 667 likes. Pear & Simple has 429 fans.

The list goes on, and some local businesses have fewer. So, I'm proposing a special Facebook exchange. I'll post about you, if you post about me. Then, other local businesses can "share" that post from the Port Washington-Saukville Patch Facebook page on their own pages to help support other local businesses.

If you are a Port Washington or Saukville area business with an independent Facebook page and you'd like to participate, this is what I need from you:

• Business contact name and phone number
• What you'd like me to post on Port Washington-Saukville Patch's Facebook page
• The URL for your business' Facebook page

Keep in mind that you'll want your business name somewhere in the post so I can tag it; tagging is how readers will find your page and (hopefully!) decide to "like" it.

This is what I'll likely be asking you to post on your business Facebook page:

Do you follow Port Washington-Saukville Patch? Portwashington-wi.patch.com has all the latest news and business information for Port Washington and Saukville, and you can subscribe for the 

So, e-mail the information to me, and I'll let you know what date I've assigned for your Facebook exchange. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line, too!