Okay, so no one is promising that having an active business profile on social networks is going to get you as much exposure as an ad during the Super Bowl or as much return as a full-page spread in the New York Times. However. It will get you an expanded contact list, increase your presence and notoriety in your market’s online conversation and keep your business in front of your friends (Facebook), followers (Twitter) and contacts (Linked-In).
These days, social networking is more than an online frivolity; it’s a way of life. People take their online images very seriously and spend a lot of time updating and maintaining their profiles. For a lot of folks, Facebook has become their primary form of communication. Social networks are also quickly becoming many people’s go-to for information like what the best restaurant in Toledo is or where to find the coolest wedding dress designer in Dallas. They even refer to Twitter or Linked-In to find the best (fill in your business) in all of (fill in your locale).
Participating in networking communities is a great way to put yourself in the online conversation happening in your market. On Twitter, follow people who have similar businesses as yours and invite people to follow you. Send regular tweets with helpful hints or valuable tips in your area of expertise. That way you can establish credibility while keeping your name at the forefront of your followers’ minds. It’s also okay to mention the occasional sale or product launch, just remember that nothing warrants an “unfollow” like being bombarded by marketing messages.
Through Facebook you can set up a page for your business and invite your clients to become fans; searching by location, age or interest, you can find other people in your target market and invite them as well. Once you’ve got fans, you’ve got an easy way to keep them up-to-date on all the latest happenings in your company and yet another vehicle for keeping in touch and reminding them that your services are available when they’re ready for them.
Then of course there’s LinkedIn, the number one online professional networking community. With your LinkedIn profile you can maintain contact with past business associates and develop relationships with new ones. You can also join groups with similar interests to connect to peers in your arena. By participating in their online conversations, you create a name and a presence for yourself all while expanding your reach to more and more potential clients.
