Hi there, Small Biz Tech Girl here, ready to help you put the power of the Internet and technology to work for your business.
Do you think social networks are just a waste of time? Social networks aren't only about socializing for fun. They can be powerful tools for connecting with others in ways that can benefit your company.
But before we go on, here's a word from our sponsor: If you're ready to take the next step and buy your own domain name or host your own website, now you can get 10% off at GoDaddy.com using the special discount code POD111. Get reliable, secure Web hosting—without the long-term contract. Best of all, the plans start at $3.99 a month. Remember to use the special discount code POD111 for 10% off your order on GoDaddy.com.
Back to social networks for business.
I belong to a lot of social networks, mostly because it is my job to stay on top of the latest social networking tools and trends. Most of the social networks I've tried just aren't useful for a business owner in terms of doing business, but there are those specifically geared toward entrepreneurs. Which one might be right for you, and how can you use it effectively?
How to Use Social Networks Professionally There are many ways that a social network can benefit you as an entrepreneur including: Generating business leads. Cultivating strategic partnerships. Identifying potential vendors. Identifying -- and vetting -- potential employees. Extending your company's brand -- or even your own brand. There are many other ways business owners are using social networks to enhance their work in ways that save them time and money and in some cases, even make them money.
Social Networks That Mean Business One of the oldest social networks for professionals is LinkedIn. The key to getting the most out of LinkedIn is to use it. Periodically, I will go through my contacts and touch base with people with whom I've been out of touch. The more contacts you have, the more valuable LinkedIn can become although I'm still on the fence about being a Power LinkedIn user with more than 500 contacts although some people swear by that tactic. Another professional social network is Plaxo at P-L-A-X-O dot com. Plaxo started out as a contact management system online but with the popularity of social networks, the company added social networking features including contacts and status updates. Plaxo does tend to send a lot of email including birthday notices and notices when people you know join Plaxo. The latter is based on the people in your email address book. You can change which notices you receive under "Settings". Some business-oriented social networks are more focused or more regional. BizNik at B-I-Z-N-I-K dot com is focused on independent workers -- people who have their own businesses but often work from home and are more isolated from larger business environments. BizNik started in the Seattle area, however, their business model is to create online and offline communities for independent workers and small companies in cities across the country.
I joined BizNik to network with people in Seattle to expand my network outside of Alaska where I live, because I can fly there relatively, affordably, and easily.
Getting the Most Out of Business Social Networks Even if a social network is geared toward entrepreneurs, it can take time to cultivate connections and turn those digital connections into fruitful business deals. Some social networking techniques you might use include: 1. Mining for contacts. Click over to view your contacts' profiles then click to view their contacts to see if there is anyone you might like to meet. Be selective, however, or you could come across as a spammer.
2. Keeping your status update updated. Use your status update to mention projects you are working on, people who you are looking to meet, or information you need for your work. You'll be surprised who is paying attention and the feedback you can receive. 3. Offering to make introductions. When you review your contact list, look for people who might benefit from meeting one another. When you help others make connections, they often return the favor.
4. Linking to your company site or blog. This may seem like a no-brainer tip, however, you'd be surprised how many people forget to add links to their company sites on their professional networks. Social networking should help drive people to your site so they can find out more about you.
5. Honing your profile. Continue to modify and update your social networking profile to remain current, concise, and compelling. Your social network profile is a first impression that can affect how people perceive you and your company.
Bottom Line: You don't need to join a lot of social networks to be effective. Stick to making the one you've joined a valuable business tool, and you should see positive results in just a few months. Contact Me That's all we have time for today. Visit the show's website at smallbiztechgirl.quickanddirtytips.com for links to all of the sites mentioned in the show and a few extras. If you'd like to ask a question or request a topic for Small Biz Tech Girl, e-mail me at smallbiztechgirl@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a message by calling 206-339-6279. And remember to get your web hosting and domain name needs taken care of at GoDaddy.com and use the code POD111 for a 10% discount on any product at GoDaddy.com.
Small Biz Tech Girl's Quick And Dirty Tips For Boosting Your Business With Digital Tools is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips network at quickanddirtytips.com. Tune in for another business boost from Small Biz Tech Girl, the host who's not afraid to go under the Internet's hood & get a little dirty!
