FAQ #5 - How do I get started in social media?
Nov 4th, 2010 8:11 pmLast week I discussed whether or not your company should get involved with social media. This week, for those of you who decided it may be a good venture, I will be discussing how to get started with it.
How do I get started in social media?
I hate to say it, but the answer to this question isn't very straightforward. Unfortunately, there are a multitude of social media sites to sign up for. How do you know which one is right for your company?
To answer this question, you'll have to know where your customers are. The easiest way to do this is just ask them! If your customers indicate they have LinkedIn profiles, that would be a great place to start. If you have a lot of Twitter fans, making a Twitter account would be the obvious way to go.
Because of the diverse number of social media sites that are on the market these days, I will go through getting set up with the big three: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Getting started in Facebook requires you to make a Facebook profile. A Facebook profile is not for your company, it is for you. Once a Facebook profile has been established, you will be able to make a Facebook Page for your company. (Confused about the difference between Facebook Profiles, Pages and Groups? Check out Julie's blog on the topic).
If you're hesitant about putting any personal information about yourself on the internet, only post information that you're comfortable publishing about yourself. There are extensive privacy settings on Facebook that allow you to block access to your Facebook profile to anybody other than your friends.
If you're interested in learning how to Tweet, start by looking at how other companies are using Twitter. Twitter accounts such as @ComcastBill or @LionelatDell are great examples of companies putting a face to their customer service. @Caribou_Coffee posts its latest news, upcoming events, and responds to customer's complaints and raves about their coffee. Figure out what it is your customers want more information about, and start tweeting away.
The most professional of the social media all-stars, LinkedIn has become more and more a place for people to earn credibility and to showcase their resumes. This is a great outlet for business owners or for one-man-shows, especially freelancers or contractors. By having a LinkedIn profile, you can find other business professionals in your field, as well as link with companies and vendors you work closely with. Simply sign up for an account, fill out any pertinent information, and start linking with friends!
If you would like more information about social networks or need help getting the ball rolling, feel free to contact Avallo. We can customize your social media networks to work for you as an extension of your website. Check back next week, and remember to send in your questions!
763-488-1630