The Guide to Social Media

Welcome to the world of social media. If it were up to me, I would make you get a passport, sign a consent form saying you will never send out a farmville invitation, and pass a written examination before being allowed to participate in social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. (Ok, maybe that’s a little harsh.) But, the beauty of social media is that everyone can and wants to be a part of it. In fact, 3 out of 4 Americans use social technology. (Forrester, The Growth of Social Technology) But, how many Americans really know how to use social media in an effective way? I’m here to help.

Here’s a little breakdown of the top 3 social media sites.

You could say that Facebook is the most popular social media outlet. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and President of  Facebook, says that “If Facebook were a country, it would be the 8th most populated in the world, just ahead of Japan.” That was in 2009. Now it would be considered the 3rd most populated. Its purpose is to connect with others on a social level; catch up with old friends, check out pictures that friends have posted, and chat with people you know.

Facebook can also be a useful tool for businesses. You can start a business page that friends (and strangers) can “like”. It will give them the ability to see your business posts in their newsfeed. I would recommend keeping personal content on your personal Facebook profile and business related news restrained to your business page. There is nothing more annoying (besides farmville) than someone advertising their small business on their personal page. Speaking of advertising, Facebook has very subtle ad space that you can purchase without breaking the bank. It’s highly effective due to the fact that you can target a specific audience. So, next time you are planning on posting a business deal on your personal page, opt for a business page post or ad space instead.

Cool Facebook fact: The number of minutes spent on Facebook every day is: 5,000,000,000.

Twitter is a great resource for small pieces of info. By small I mean less than 140 characters. You can “follow” friends, businesses, strangers, and celebrities. There is no need for others to accept you as a follower. It also provides a feature in which you can “mention” another person or “retweet” something someone has already tweeted (aka. posted). Personally, I follow other design businesses that tweet links to interesting articles and I tweet when I post new blogs are have something good to share.

Cool Twitter fact: 3,000,000 is the number of average tweets per day.

Think of LinkedIn as a networking event that is held online. It’s strictly business related; which means that posting photos of your boyfriend, updates on your dog, and otherwise are off limits. But, like networking events, some are more professional than others. The same is true with LinkedIn. It offers a platform that allows you to post your resume, refer others, receive recommendations, and search for job openings.

Here’s a few things that you should make sure NOT to do when it comes to social marketing.

-The biggest no-no when it comes to marketing on social media sites is blatantly selling yourself. Shameless advertising is not only annoying, but ineffective. No one wants to hear you continually trying to sell your products or services (especially on your personal sites). Social marketing works in a different way. It’s better to be subtle, engage your viewers, and offer insights.

-Don’t spam others. In fact, it’s illegal to spam without offering an opt-out button. Spamming is not only e-mail based. It also includes offering irrelevant comments or links as well as commenting on something only to promote yourself.

-Don’t always “go big”. Don’t solely become friends or connect with people that have the most friends or “likes”. When you’re starting off, try to network online with small contacts too. Most likely, they will bring you the most business and you will build more substantial relationships with them. Just remember, even your contacts with big networks were small at one time.

Here’s some things that you should definitely DO! These tips are sure to bring you success when it comes to social marketing.

-Build relationships within your social community. Don’t just post, respond to comments as well. Start conversations, listen to what others say, and engage.

-Be part of a community that is relevant to your business. If you’re trying to expand your business, there is no point involving yourself in a community that isn’t directly related to what you offer.

-If you’re a beginner to social marketing/media, start out by mastering one site before moving on to another. It’s better to be efficient in one then mediocre in all of them.

-Build a trusted and appealing website that supports your social media endeavors. It will build your credibility.

- Keep your content fresh. Make sure your comments, posts, and resume is up-to-date.

-Plan ahead and be thoughtful about what you post.

Happy Social Networking!
Please take note that there are multiple ways to engage in social networks. If you have questions about other networks feel free to let me know. I will do whatever I can to help you out!