In case you’ve been off-planet for the past several years, “social networking” has become the talk of the Internet. And more to the point, it’s now an essential tool for business, having moved from experimental curiosity to business networking necessity.
But social networking involves an increasingly complex and ever-changing web of technologies, communities and strategies that even the smartest business minds have trouble mastering.
Keep in mind there’s a reason that “networking” contains the word “work.” It doesn’t happen by itself. You must be smart and diligent about your efforts in order to show results. Here are some things you can do:
• Sample the field, then focus on a few. There are far too many social networking tools and sites to use them all. In some cases, blogs, forums and sites that target a specific industry or profession might be your best choice. For many others, the majors such as Facebook, Twitter and perhaps your own blog will be the way to go.
• Get cozy with LinkedIn. This is the biggest site focused on business and professional networking, so it’s certainly one to consider using.
• Build your brand and position your personal expertise. Social networking is an ideal way to position yourself, your business or your brand as a leader in your field. The more specific you can get in defining your special expertise or product/service niche, the better. Carving a highly specialized niche – and always using the terms and keywords to fit – makes it easier for people to find you online. Become active in industry forums and groups and (this is critical) post thoughtful, credible comments on blog posts and Q&A sites. You might be surprised how quickly this builds your online reputation.
• Discover the power of using the search feature on Twitter. If you are selling a product and want to know if other people are Tweeting about it or to find out what your competition is doing, this it the feature for you.
• Use apps, widgets and shortcuts. You can’t truly leverage the power of social networking without using some of the new time-saving tools. Most major sites offer helpful applications and plug-ins themselves. At Facebook, for example, go to Facebook.com/apps and click on “business” for a list of business-specific applications. •
Daniel Kehrer can be reached at editor@business.com.
The Most Undervalued Asset in Business: The Right Connection
By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Private Office Advisor Engel & Volkers Oceanside www.DiSpiritoteam.com…
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