I’m sure you’ve been hearing the buzz word “Social Media” a lot lately. It’s in the news, it’s on tv, it’s in your favorite sitcom, but what is it? If you are reading this I’m going to make the assumption you realize what a blog is, but maybe not necessarily why you need one and how it works and why it is not longer optional in small business. I’m going to tell you and give you a few resources over the next few day’s/weeks to help you get on your way. So lets get started….
Social Media 101!
Social media is basically the same as a house party, business meeting, networking event or a gathering of friends with the same interests. It can be done in many diffrent locations, with many different people, with many different backgounds – but they all have the same goal. and that is to start a conversation. Except this party happens online.
For a super simple “Plain English” explanation watch the video from Common Craft.
So, who should be using social media? Everyone. And I imagine you already are and don’t even know it. If you have an account at anyone of these sites, you are using social media already:
Facebook
Linked In
Twitter
You Tube
Any Blog you have commented on
Any Site you have “subscribed to” by clicking on the small RSS orange Icon
Any place you have uploaded pictures or video to
Any time you have listened to a Podcast or Videocast
Social media is going to be a very large part of how businesses build relationships with their customers over the next few years. Why?
- It’s personable
- It’s targeted
- It’s cost effective
- It’s easy
- It’s trackable
Here are some terms you may come across in your social media education:
Blog or Blogging. A blog (short for web log) is an article written by an individual or business about a topic of interest to them or their customers. This is a blog and I am blogging. I am a blogger. People can comment or give an opinion about the topic on my blog. Blogs are free to set up you can start one right now with wordpress. Need help picking a topic? Try one of these 100 suggestions.
Microblogging. Is the same as blogging except it’s done in micro or small blasts of information. The most common microblogging tool out there is Twitter. You have 140 characters to say what’s on your mind, say hello or give out useful information about your company or someone else’s. You can follow me, click here! To find out more about how it works, check out commoncraft’s video or visit Andrea Stenberg’s website The Baby Boomer Entreprenuer and read this article.
Social Networking is basically the same as networking but done online. It’s starting a conversation with someone you barely know and finding out more about them. It’s about handing someone your business card and talking about their business. You do this everyday by making a phone call, attending a networking event or tradeshow. The cool thing about doing it online is that you can meet many more people at once and find the people you really should be talking to right away.
I’ll give you a little scenario about how it works….
I’m looking for information on “ABC product”, I microblog about it on twitter asking my followers if they have a “ABC Product” and how they like it. Follower #1 send me a link to the ABC Product website and tells me she loves the product and she blogged about it on her website. Follower #2 sends me a link to a review site and explains there has been good and bad reviews. Follower #3 suggests I look at “xyz Product” instead “ABC Product” sees my questions and asks me if they can help me out in any way, they send me a newsletter so I can learn more about thier product. “XYZ product” also sees my post and refers me to a couple of thier happy clients that I can talk to. I now have all the information I need to make an informed decision. And it all happened in a matter of minutes.
Businesses are working smarter and social media is a big part of it. Make it part of your business plan. It has taken me further than I could have imagined and I know it will for you too. My next post I will talk about Facebook and how to use it for business.
Jennifer
PS. You can find me on all of those Social Networking places. Come find me I have lots more to tell you!
