Social Media – getting found

Social media is networking, both personal and business, with no constraints. Social media can be measured by Facebook friends, Facebook likes, Twitter followers, blog visitors, video views, bookmarks on Delicious, Linkedin connections, posts and comments, and the number of visitors to your website. There are other ways to measure social media such as leads and sales generated by social media efforts.

Social media is considered a form of Inbound Marketing. Social media assists with search engine optimization. It is a great way to promote and build your blog following. There are a number of basic guidelines that you should follow when beginning the process of engagement in social media, and remember, they are all different. In my view, Facebook is for friends and family, Twitter is for information and conversation, and LinkedIn is building your and retaining your business contacts.

Here are a few thoughts and things to consider when getting found using social media:

1. meet people and converse
2. become a member of the community
3. it’s not just a venue to advertise your products or services
4. add value, be helpful to others, provide information
5. ask questions
6. be courteous
7. publish and provide information
8. listen to others and promote them
9. share interesting content
10. make friends and enhance relationships

Lots to consider when dealing with things in the social media environment. Sounds a lot like building a relationship; be nice, provide value, be courteous and appreciative. Whether online or offline, relationships take work, you need to be consistent, friendly, and outgoing.

Getting found online is critical to your business future, as such, you need to embrace it. Social media is here to stay and getting found online is a new requirement for you, your brand and your business.

Michael Bickerton, Raven5 Ltd, Toronto, March 2011