subject: Use Social Media As Tools To Engage [print this page] Using social media for business should not end with online engagement of clients. This is fine if you are selling products to the masses but if you really want to use social media more effectively in business then you shouldn't just interact with people online, you must bring the client relationship and the engagement out of the internet and into real life, especially if you want to use social media not just for selling but for other business communication uses.
You can use social media just for the initial communications with people but also draw the people out of the social networks to your website or to communicate with them outside of the internet. Build real connections with people outside of the social networks.
First, you can use social networks to look for possible job applicants and employees. You can use social networks to contact them, for initial screening and to do character investigations. But you will still need to do interviews and communicate with the applicants out of the social networks.
Use social networks to look for possible business partners and collaborators. With the millions of people using social networks, it is impossible not to find someone you can work with. Collaboration is really big in business these days. Why work alone when there are individuals and companies you can combine resources with? Social networks can be very helpful with looking for people to work with and to initiate contact with them.
You can also use social network to provide good customer service to clients. People want companies to respond to their concerns. Social media can be used as tools for online engagement, for providing information to clients that will really help resolve issues. With this kind of online engagement, there is usually no need to take the conversations offline, the online interactions using social media can really be beneficial for the business.
There is nothing that will replace old-fashioned communication. You need to be smart about your use of social media. The social networks are there for you to take advantage of. As you use social networks, take concrete steps to really connect with people through the information you provide and through active communication with them. Use social media to share information that people will find useful in their lives and which will help establish your online image. You can also use social networks to get valuable information that you need in your business. Information such as those needed in social profiling, etc.
