This was also posted on my business blog but I thought it may be helpful to some mom bloggers just starting up as well. That's why I posted it here for mom bloggers to read as well. :)
Social
Media is a new term to some businesses and bloggers who have not fully grasped the
incredible potential of networking through Twitter, Facebook, etc...
Due to the fact that it's unfamiliar to some companies, they may not
feel comfortable using the networks since they may have little or no
followers. However everyone has to start somewhere, even if it's at the
bottom. While it may feel uncomfortable tweeting or posting to a small
(or no) audience, it's extremely worthwhile and the best way to grow
your brand awareness on these websites.
Remember when you started
your business? Did you have a large client or customer base at that
time? The answer for most of you is probably, "No." Every business has
to start from the bottom whether it is creating and starting your
business from the bottom or trying a new media strategy. Just because
you have no followers when you start doesn't mean that you can't grow
that base. Social Media is actually one of the best ways to promote
your business for free. (I know that grabbed your attention!)
The two main reasons to create and use Social Media accounts would be:
- To raise your follower/fan count.
- To promote your blog or business to raise brand awareness.
Participation
is key in networking and creating important connections. Once you
start your Twitter account, go ahead and do a search of an important
keyword relating to your business. Once you do that search you will see
a number of tweets from others that contain the keyword you searched
for. Take a look through their tweets and see if any would relate to
your business. Do you have a solution to a question they are asking?
Do you have an idea that may assist them? Are they a business that is
similar to yours or an individual interested in the subject matter of
your business? Go ahead and follow them. It would also be beneficial
to reply to their tweet with a general comment about what they have to
say or answering their question with your expertise. When they see you
followed them or replied to them, they will in turn follow you and most
likely reply to what you had to say. There, you had your first
"twitter-sation." (My own word, thank you very much!)
Tip: When you tweet others or reply to their tweets, provide value in what you have to say. Throw something in there that will make them want to click on your Twitter profile and read about you. (And your business.)
Others will begin to find you from their searches
and from re-tweets from other Twitter users. That is why it is
important to tweet (periodically) about your business or plug your
latest blog post; when someone finds it interesting they will
re-tweet you for others to see. While it's important to plug your
latest blog post or your business, do not do it regularly. If you make
too many posts advertising your business, your followers will think that
you are tweeting solely to get them to see your page. That may be the
case, but you have to build a relationship with your followers first.
Let them see there is a person behind the Twitter name and let them get
to know you and your business through tweets, re-tweets and replies.
You will want to connect with them on a more personal level and try to
relate to them in some way, shape or form. Remember, interaction is key in tweeting.
Tweeting
very regularly will help to build up your "twitter personality", brand
and credibility. Especially if you engage your followers by commenting
or asking an open ended question and if you post interesting information
that may be beneficial to them. If you do not have the time to tweet
regularly it may be useful for you to use a program that will schedule your tweets. (My favorite program for this is Tweet Deck.) You can also delegate Social Media tasks and tweets to a Virtual Assistant/Social Media Coordinator.
They will be able to take that uncomfortable task of starting a Twitter
out of your hands and take care of that for you with their expertise.
Remember -- you should not
tweet just for followers. Tweet for yourself and your business, the
followers will come to you. Even though this all seems so cliche, it is
all about the quality of your followers and the engagement between both
parties. It is not about the quantity of followers you have.
