Online Networking and Social Media
Every business owner would like to be able to reach unlimited numbers of potential customers. Depending on what you offer, online networking and the new social media can help you do this.
Social networking online uses sites like Facebook, Twitter, Ning and more to make contact with people with similar interests or those who could be interested in your business.
As one example, you can use Facebook to set up a page for your business – see http://www.facebook.com/business/?pages. This will raise your business profile to different people to those who look on a search engine. If your friends and customers become a fan of your page, their friends will see this too, and may visit your page. You can also promote news and events to people who are fans of your page.
On Facebook you can write a short line about your current status: Twitter is a site where you can write 140 character messages about you, your life and your business. It is a rapid way to build a network and get referrals into your business. Use one of the useful sites like Tweetdeck or HootSuite that allow you to pre-programme in some tweets. Link Twitter up to your blog so your followers know when you write about something, and include a mix of comment on what goes on in your business everyday too.
There are many more social networking sites: see Wikipedia for a current list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites. Try to focus on sites that are used by your target audience. If you sell clothes for women, visit websites that focus on women’s fashion. Post on fashion-based blogs, with a relevant link back to your site.
Ning is a useful site to look for communities which might be interested in your business.
Once you have found communities online which match your potential customers’ interests, start contributing to the communities regularly. Don’t just post advertising your business, but instead make helpful suggestions, answer questions and showcase your expertise. This will raise your profile in a really positive way.
