subject: How To Use Social Networks For Getting Business [print this page] Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and social networking is an online extension of that. Social networking is like a snow ball falling down the hill, picking up its speed and taking the things which fall on the way. In few years, to come social networking will become a standard. Every one now a days very actively use social networking sites like face book twitter, LinkedIn etc. They are not only meant to connect with your near and dear ones. However, you can use them to market yourself, your business in different ways.
Profile detail
Most of the social media sites start with the profile page. So take this opportunity to provide the necessary information about your company and its business details. Make sure your profile is rich of keywords that are captured by search engines. Use a display picture that adds some flair and personality to your profile.
Have a Posting plan
Your business is well established. However, you now need to connect to the mass through social media. So be sure you have a posting plan and ample time to devote before you build a business oriented site. Stick to the plan! For example post something every other day so that people check your site and read the new content. It is not necessary to be available on too many social networks at once, but it is essential to manage the sites you are available on wisely.
Be Responsive
Get in there and start talking. It is important to be responsive to the posts and comments of your followers. Make them know that you are available for an interaction and value there feedback. Remember it is called social networking and not business networking so it is very important to connect with your followers. Once they know, they have your attention half of the battle is won.
Take advantage of application, groups and forums
Some of the social networking sites like face book offer facilities of building pages. You can build a page about any new product offered by your company, any event that is going to take place or even a fan page. Post videos on your page, create special interest forums related to your business, add links to the web page and avoid repetition. Be fresh and interesting but keep your motive business related.
Set your Privacy
Innovation does not always come with all positive results. One of the disadvantages of the internet and these social sites are that they attract scam artist, hackers and, tugs. It is important to be street smart to limit the identity theft. Defiantly you want to reach the mass audience, however, limit what everyone can post on your site. Every company has its own rules and regulation so depending on the nature of your company you should use some restrictions.
The Po!nt
The Point here is to have a road map before you use the social networking site. So that, you know where to go, what to avoid and where to end up.
