Social Networking

Social Networking is just that. But first, we need to know what Social Networking really is.

Just what is “Social Networking” and how will it affect your business. It really depends on the type of business you have. Social networking is all about interacting with others.

If your business model has nothing to do with engaging people, then it really isn’t for you.

The Search Engines we all use are starting to display various social sites as part of their results when you request information on a particular subject. That alone should cause you to consider adding some form of “social networking” to your business.

Some of the various sites that offer social tools are: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, FourSquare, LinkedIn, Tumbler, Google+, Instagram, YouTube – to name just a few!

The most serious mistake businesses makes with a social site is they believe they can just “Set it and Forget It”.

Social sites are all about engaging people. When someone takes the time to actually go to your social site and makes a comment – the business owner/manager must engage that person back!

It is a two-way street. Social networking is just that.

If the commenter doesn’t feel the same back from the owner, they will move on! It doesn’t have to be serious – but it has to be engaging. We’ve all been in that awkward situation when we are trying to talk with someone and they don’t return the conversation – anyone with teenagers can relate to that! Social network engagement is the same.

A quick thanks for commenting and throwing another comment out there is what it is all about. Example would be on my RV-Insight.com comment section at the bottom of each page.

When someone asks a question about RV’ing or about something I’ve mentioned in an article, I must respond back quickly and offer thanks and further commenting about what they said or wrote.

Example of Facebook Comments at bottom of this link page

I’ll be the first to admit, I really don’t want to get into all the networks that are out there.

However, there is very serious discussion that the Social Information Networks are the future of the Internet. The fact that they are part of search results now is enough of a “warning”.

My advice – if you are going to actually have a Facebook Business page, a Twitter account, a FourSquare posting about your business – do it right!

First and foremost – the social sites should ALWAYS drive people to your main business website. I’ve heard so many ads over the years getting people to go to their Facebook page and like us!?! Wow- that’s exciting!! I’ll be sure to do that!

Better yet, be sure to provide a compelling reason for a person who happens to go to your social site to go to your main business website – a promo, special, coupon, etc.

The social site should have a clear business/storefront picture of your business, links to your main webpage and an engaging dialog with any commentators.

It is not enough to just have people posting on your social site. If you don’t want to be the one to do it, designate someone to be your spokesperson. Thank them for commenting, invite them back, and provide more info for them – somehow, someway – be sure to engage them. Just that alone will give them a reason to come back.

Another great idea is to post something that has nothing to do with “promoting” your business. Perhaps a funny story, comment or video link about something completely different. Remember it is a social site – not your primary business site.

Next newsletter we’ll go over how to set up and monitor a Facebook Business Page and the commenting sections on your website. There’s a great “app” to know when someone commented and on what page!

Thanks for taking the time to read all this!!

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I hope it helps you have a better understanding of just how important a Website is for your business today; and even more so, tomorrow!

Thanks!

Bernie