Looking to Create a Web Presence Though Social Media?

Many businesses these days are venturing into the Wild West of social media, trying their hand at things like blogging and Twitter and creating profiles on social-networking sites. But along the way there’s room for improvement. Here’s a couple of things you should think about especially if you’re using social media to create/establish an online business presence.

 

Creating a social networking presence is an ideal way for folks to connect & network with other business professionals. However you should keep all your web presences as professional as you would your actual business persona. How you present yourself online has a direct effect on your reputation and your ability to connect with your customers, associates and potential customers. Be civil at all times. Despite what you make think personally, keep your comments civil. You will lose business & potential clients if you’re rude or flame even if it’s just in pm (private messaging).

 

Your online presence is often the first thing people see when they’re looking to connect with you. And as I’m sure you’ve often heard, first impressions are crucial. People judge you by how you look (your ‘online’ presence) long before they get to know you.

Whether you have a blog, post to various social networking sites, or have a Facebook page, be professional. Often their decision to work or not work with you will be based on how they ‘see’ you and may have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not you fit their ‘parameters’.

 

Keep your business presence separate from your social one, especially if you come across as two different people. The person who may come across as a ‘partier’ or worse on Facebook or YouTube is not the type of person your ideal client wants to do business with. (yes there may be exceptions, but you catch my drift here.)

 

Make an effort to keep your posts and comments not only updated regularly, but interesting too. Whatever product or service you offer, people expect you to be helpful and informative. So get into the habit of providing folks with insightful info or commentary, even if it may not be your area of expertise. In other words create value. You never know who’s reading your posts/comments. If you get into the habit of creating value, someone may just decide to do business with you or recommend you. However, while you can provide a discrete link back to your home site, don’t make with the sales pitch all the time. The one thing that turns me off faster then rudeness is someone who keeps trying to sell me something.

 

There’s a couple of very good, very informative blog posts over at the Wall Street Journal along with their assorted comments. I recommend reading them. They’ll fill you in on some basic dos and don’ts along with providing a general reference of different social media sites you may not be familiar with.

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/independentstreet/2008/08/21/social-networking-common-mistakes-small-businesses-make/

Original post is by Kelly Spors & the second same one

is http://blogs.wsj.com/independentstreet/2008/09/12/social-networking-sites-spring-up-for-business-owners/ also by Kelly. 

 

By the way, I recommend experimenting with social media. While I haven’t seen an increase in business yet, (it’s only been a couple of months since I started making a concentrated effort) I’ve been expanding my networks and my connections. I think the long term prognosis will be beneficial both for myself as a human being & as a entrepreneur/business owner.