Getting your business and your personal brand online can be overwhelming with all the options and buzz that is going on right now.
Three suggested steps for those that want to play in the online marketing / social media realm:
Step #1 – Establish a profile on LinkedIn
Build your profile by using your resume. This is a good start, people will now be able to find you if they are looking for you – (if you are not on LinkedIn and still pondering why people use LinkedIn that last sentence should make you open up the computer and get after it, people are likely looking for you and that can equate into opportunities).
Now start finding people to connect with: Open your rolodex or connect to gmail contacts and start connecting. When you have connected with some of your key contacts start going through their connections – you will find more peers that you can invite to connect with. If you can personalize your message instead of sending the standard request you will be more memorable, “great to see you are now with XZY Company – how are you liking it?” “nice to connect again, hope to see you are the annual meeting”. And watch the “People You May Know” box, this is helpful in adding connections as well.
The time to set up your LinkedIn profile and add your core group of contacts will take time in the beginning, but once it is setup you can spend a few minutes a day or week depending on what you are doing, checking in on contact updates, invitations, articles and events.
Eventually you can make your profile more useful by collecting and displaying referrals, books you are reading and events you are attending. I find that my LinkedIn Profile much better describes what my interests and strengths are over my resume because it is so much more dynamic.
Step #2 – Get on Twitter
Twitter is a strange tool, it takes time to figure out how you are going to use it. Open up an account, follow some people and start talking on it. Commit to tweet a few times a week at least to keep your stream relevant. If you are looking for opportunities of any kind do not LOCK your Twitter stream, that’s pointless, it’s like attending a networking event but then shushing most of the people that come up to meet you. Don’t shush, unlock, be open, and just don’t Tweet things you don’t want people to read.
Step #3 – Start a Blog
Start a WordPress blog. Like Twitter, blogging will also take a bit of time and practise in order to become efficient at. Most people have a fear about blogging. Writing information about yourself, or your thoughts or opinions can be terrifying. Take whatever baby steps you need to. Start writing and clicking that post button, once you get 10 or so posts under your belt things will become easier in the blogging world.
Should I Have An Online Strategy?
There are two paths you can take in establishing your online presence:
- Jump right in and figure it out as you go, or
- Establish your strategy and goals and cater your online campaign appropriately
Both options can be successful, and both can fail. You will have to decide what type of person or business you are and what ypes of resources you have. Either way, try not to continually postpone using these tools, they are here to stay, and your customers are likely online, find and connect with them. And hopefully have some fun doing it!
If you are ready to commit to social media and want a step by step guide I really liked Dan Evan’s “Social Media – Marketing An Hour A Day”.
Post any questions you have on my blog. Cheers!
Shannon Bowen-Kelsick (sbk)
Twitter: @sbkelsick
contact me: sbk@sbkelsick.com
Saturday, July 10th, 2010, 12:30 pm | 
Tools and Technology | 
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