Once you have created the appropriate profiles for yourself and have begun to engage your network in conversation on your relevant platforms, it is time to begin sharing your knowledge in order to let people know what you are about and what you have to offer.  If you are a web designer, try providing some helpful tips about web creation.  A financial adviser could provide tips about how easy it is to set aside money for retirement investments.  Are you a salon or spa?  The topics are endless – provide knowledge regarding upcoming seasonal hairstyles, benefits of proper skin care, bust myths regarding acrylic nails!

Don’t feel that if you are sharing your knowledge in your particular field that you are providing others with the tools to do your job.  This just isn’t true.  What you are doing is positioning yourself as the expert in your field.  Dedicated readers will be able to learn all that you have to offer and will be more apt to contact you for your services!

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It’s one thing to be actively posting on the different social media venues; it’s another thing to use them to their fullest potential.  Posting alone will not build your reputation or your business.  You need to interact with the people you are connected to.  Engage in conversations, even if it seems like fluff; commenting on a post about someone’s bad day will build that relationship and you will benefit by being recognizable and memorable to the contact.

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I found this Chris Brogan Kitchen Table Talk this morning and was surprised to find that Chris was in my hometown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The interview is with Joe Sorge, owner of three Milwaukee restaurants, including AJ Bombers whose success was built completely with Twitter.  This success story reinforces my belief that social media does work for local businesses if you have a plan and follow through with it.

As a Virtual Assistant, I have been using social media for quite a while now and recently have found myself disturbed by other’s ideas of how to handle it.  This is the first part in a series of blog posts regarding social networking and my beliefs on proper methods of success.

Start with a Plan

A well written social media networking plan is necessary to help guide you to success with minimal effort.  You will be able to see on paper, (or the computer screen), what your needs are in order to reach your goals.  A great plan should include: (more…)