Many small business owners are still asking “what the point of social media?” In spite of Facebook’s statistics that the fastest growing group of users is the over 25 group, a large number of people still haven’t taken the plunge. Another group has signed up to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or another group and then scratch their heads wonder what the big deal is.
Let me let you in on a secret. Social media done badly is pointless or may even cause you harm. But social media done well is networking on steroids. You can rapidly expand your contacts, drive traffic to your site, find new joint venture partners, and grow your business.
How do you do it well? Remember it’s called social media – not spamming media, or random contact media. If you remember that you’re connecting with real people and act accordingly you’ll do fine.
Have you ever been to a networking event and met someone who only talks about themselves and their products? Bet you didn’t like that person so much. Don’t be that person online. Introduce yourself to new people and find out a little about them. Just because you’re online and can’t look them in the eyes doesn’t mean you can forget your manners.
For example, when inviting people to connect on LinkedIn or Facebook, don’t just use the standard greeting designed by the application. Include a personal note about why you think the two of you should connect. And when someone invites you, look at their profile then send a note back thanking them for connecting and make a comment or ask a question about their profile, business or website.
Not everyone in your social network will become your best friend or your best customer. But taking the time to get to know people even a little, and letting them get to know you, will make you more memorable. And that is the point of social media.
Andrea J. Stenberg
