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Previous: Microsoft Offers Free Tech Support to Convince Small Biz to Buy Vista by Gayle Kesten Ever feel like the whole world is in on secret that you're not privy to? That's how I feel about social networks. There, I said it. Yes, I'm set up on the well-known LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Of the three, only Twitter has introduced me to new industry contacts that I doubt I would have connected to otherwise. But do I need to know someone I'm following just ate a turkey sandwich? No. As for LinkedIn and Facebook, if someone out there is looking for me, then I've provided the means to be found. That, to me, seems like their biggest value. Now what? In this space I've also blogged about new, cool social networks that do what they say they do in terms of functionality; networks like Briz.com, Dotster Connect and Visa Business Network (read "A Trio of New Social Networks for Small Businesses") and Moli.com (read "Moli: A New Way For Small Biz To Connect"). Their founders all have solid messages for why small businesses should participate. Of course, I'm fully open to the realization that maybe I'm slower than the average bear in getting my arms around social networks. That said, I read two articles that unwittingly made me feel a little bit better. One, according to a Deloitte survey of 140-plus companies that sponsor online communities, keeping members engaged is the biggest obstacle for half of the respondents. And in an interview with bMighty's Naomi Grossman, when asked point-blank if there is value in smaller businesses joining social networks, John McCrea, VP of marketing for social network developer Plaxo, answered: "We're so early in the world of social media that I would say small and midsize businesses would do well to have representation on Facebook, Linked In, and Pulse. It's not a zero-sum game. Use all the tools. The third phase is just about to dawn and it is fundamentally about social networking and the Web becoming social, that's the world of the future." So maybe I'm not as far behind as I think. Bigger picture, we're all part of this incredible Internet evolution that, even if not completely understood, should be embraced. What social networks do you belong to? Are you an active user? What do you see as their value for your business? How have they helped you? Posted on July 23, 2008 at 3:21 PM| Comments (4) Comments Social networking is just like any other networking group, you have to put some time into it before you can assess whether or not you are getting a return. What one person or biz gets out of joining a social network will be different for another person. and it depends on what group you join for what reason. Linkedin is for professional connections, Facebook to me is more social and then there is Twitter and salespider.com and many more. Posted by: mari-lyn on July 25, 2008 at 12:30 AM Social netoworking on a whole can be intimidating, especially for anyone over the age of….25? For the longest time social networking was just something kids did to share information and make friends but it’s evolution is amazing and I think that it is becoming a necessary arena for small businesses to enter. I have used facebook and linked in and as Brandi pointed out have had more success with linked in. I have yet to see the benefit of Twitter beyond increasing traffic to my site. I have heard though that by monitoring Twitter you can proactively find people who have a need that your business can help them solve. For example someone posts ‘I am annoyed with my cell phone it never works’..this allows you to jump right in and offer your sympathy and advice and introduce them to your product. Posted by: Quote Catcher Credit Card Processing on July 25, 2008 at 11:23 AM I have mixed feelings about a lot of the social networking sites. I feel that a lot of these sites are streaming noise to users without providing a quality filter — I think that is why all the readily available information and tools can be overwhelming. I have found that being transparent and authentic with all of these sites is the best approach, helping you become acclimated to each communities’ culture. For example (and in regards to the Twitter situation listed above), it is great to be sympathetic and offer help for a person’s problems or concerns, but jumping right in could come across as very self-serving. It is tough finding the perfect balance of helping someone without pushing them over your product/service. If your pitch isn’t genuine or natural, prepare yourself for an onslaught of negative feedback. Posted by: Chad on July 28, 2008 at 4:05 PM |
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Copyright 1999-2008 by Attard Communications, Inc. and by the individual authors. |
Social Networking: Evolution Before Your Very Eyes
I don’t think you are alone in your feelings about social networks. I myself can be found on Facebook and LinkedIn but feel that LinkedIn is the better of the two for making professional connections. The most valuable thing about it for me is the groups. They give me the opportunity to network and build partnerships. It is important for small businesses not to get sucked into spending a lot of time and resources by joining every social networking group out there. You need to find one that is right for you and put your energy there. Participate there for awhile and then make sure you are getting a good ROI on your time. If not chalk it up to experience, bail out and put your energies elsewhere.
Posted by: Brandi Cummings on July 23, 2008 at 8:35 PM