Social media first came to the public’s attention with sites like MySpace and Facebook. While MySpace has fallen out of favor with the masses, Facebook is busy setting the bar higher and higher for social networking. And there are even more social media sites popping up all over the web, like Google+, Google’s attempt at becoming a Facebook rival now that MySpace is no more. Twitter, a social networking hybrid of Facebook and AOL Instant Messenger, allows people to not only keep up and chat with their friends, but also allows businesses to advertise without seeming pushy or gimmicky. Some of these sites are the biggest suppliers of news and information for the younger generations.

Yet, only 47 percent of businesses actually utilize social media sites. These numbers are surprising given that the majority of these sites are free to use and have proven to be extremely profitable. So why haven’t all businesses jumped on this bandwagon?

“I suspect that a good part of the problem is that startup and small business owners still don’t know where or how to start,” said Martin Zwilling, contributing writer to Business Insider. “They don’t know if they should move to social networks for lead generation, branding, customer loyalty, or for direct marketing and e-commerce. My advice is to pick one, start slow, and spread out as you learn.”

Tanning salons can create a major business buzz by following Zwilling’s advice. By using social networks, new and repeat business will be driven directly to the website or directly to the salon. For example, Twitter allows salons to advertise current package information, daily deals and up-to-date news to persuade customers to take more than a passing glance at your salon.

When it comes to using social media, Zwilling says it best: “My challenge to you, then, is to kick it up a notch! When is the last time you produced a video for your business, or a podcast, or sponsored a contest with free gifts? Or are you too busy?”

For more social media tips and to read the entire Business Insider article, please click here.