I would define “social media” as being a smart technological tool for co-creating, liking, sharing information.

Don’t ask yourself whether or not you should use social media for your business; instead, explore how these media can help you reach your personal and professional expectations.

For several months already, I have been growing my social media community: WordPress, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. My primary goal was to broaden my reach and my network in order to offer my services on a greater scale. I was surprised to find that it was not as easy as it looks, despite the fact that I consider myself a relatively savvy technologist! So I sought out some advice. Here are some of my favourite tips!

For starters, I recommend you enter through the front door of social media by creating a blog. People go onto Google or other browsers to research answers to their questions and challenges. And they may find what they’re looking for on your blog!

  • Look around your business and identify who has a talent for blogging and would like to write on a regular basis;
  • Also, put a blog box on the wall to encourage your team members and clients to contribute their ideas!
  • Create your blog on WordPress—it’s free;
  • Leave comments on other blogs. This will generate traffic on yours (pay it forward);
  • Include your blog on your website (RSS) and add a link to your Facebook page, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Three social media free of charge: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Do not mix the personal with the professional content side, go as far as possible to develop a business page for your business or a cause … and do not forget a single word can have quite an impact – choose your words.

Important rules to follow in business:

  1. Designate someone to be responsible for growing your social media presence;
  2. Form an alliance with this person; agree on guidelines, determine how much time will be allotted, the content and how extensive the commitment should be;
  3. Share your expertise’s and offer a tool box (advices, tips, exercices…);
  4. What to post?
  • Stand out. Be original and unique; help set your image apart from the others.
  • Express your opinion and be responsible of your impacts.
  • Opt for diversity. People like it when there is movement; alternate your posts between your various articles, videos, photos and links. Provide professional content.
  • Display links to your website and your YouTube account. Include reference documents.
  • Apply the 80/20 rule: 80% information and entertainment, 20% promotion.
  • Find out what your customers think using the survey tool.
  • Encourage your team to be proactive on your page.
  • Write a thank you message to people who like your page.
  • Tag your photos intelligently. Ensure the people are members of your page.

5.   When to post?

  • How often you post a message really depends on your audience. You should check once a day, every three days, or once a week. Choose the format you want and be extremely consistent. According to a number of studies, people generally tend to check their Facebook page before going in to work, on their lunch hour and in the evening.

6.  Expand the scope of your participation by including social media links in your e-mail signature, on your business cards, and in your ads. Connect your social media accounts to each other (e.g., Facebook & Twitter).

Facebook “is an online social networking service that can be used to share information (photos, links, texts, etc.) by controlling its visibility through various classes of people. Pages and groups wishing to promote institutions, businesses or causes may be consulted by a target audience or by anyone surfing the Internet.”

Some advantages in creating a page for your business:

  • Access a vast audience.  For example, by targeting men and women aged 30 or older in the Montreal area, you reach over 800,000 individuals;
  • Build your virtual community. Encourage people to participate on your page by asking them for comments and suggestions;
  • Optimize search results. Google will easily find your Facebook page;
  • Increase traffic on your website. Include Facebook on your website;
  • Increase your sales;
  • Be a source of virtual information.

LinkedIn is often described as the world’s largest professional network of members from a variety of industries. The focus is on business, research and the promotion of various opportunities. LinkedIn enables you to see who is linked to whom. When you create your business account, be ready to build your highly professional profile by mentioning your services, your mission and your business values. Make use of the specialties section extensively by listing your areas of expertise and by seeking references:

  • To find customers, help, and business opportunities;
  • To hire staff, consultants or other professionals;
  • To receive comments, to conduct research;
  • To participate in various groups, to create your own group and be the leader.

Twitter is a microblogging tool. It enables users to send short, 140-character messages, called tweets, free of charge on the Internet, through instant messaging or SMS. “What are you doing right now?” is the question Twitter asks users. When you open your Twitter account, you become a follower and will get your own followers!

  • Receive instant feedback. Give your opinion;
  • Share the human aspect of your business.

Advertise at a lower cost using the Facebook or LinkedIn marketing service: for only $2 a day, you can create marketing campaigns to promote your page. For example, encourage people to “Like” your page or to participate in one of your events…the possibilities are endless!

Social media – you reap what you sow!

I invite you to leave your comments.

Christine Lecavalier