Maximizing Your Company's Impact on Social Networks

If you are not on Facebook or Twitter, you have at least heard about those and other social networking sites. Even both of my grandmothers have Facebook accounts so that they can stay connected with family. In fact, one of them even has her very own blog. With 350 million active users, 50% of which log on in any given day, Facebook has a huge sphere of influence that you can put to work and that is only one of many tools available to you.
Now is the time to get engaged in online marketing. All of the tools mentioned here can work together to promote your brand. Here’s a quick how-to guide to maximize your online impact (don’t skip steps as there are some helpful tips that you may or may not be doing):

1. Website-Most businesses have a website, but are you cross-linking with other sites? Have you integrated an RSS feed from your Twitter account to update your page regularly? Do you update your content at least monthly to boost your search engine results? These are all things to consider to drive traffic to your site.
2. Facebook-Create a page for your business. This is easily done with your current Facebook account. What?! You don’t have one?! Create your own profile first, then you can create a Facebook page for your company. Many retailers and restaurants have contests for monthly prizes, such as a 10% off coupon, free drink, and more as incentives to become fans of their pages. You can keep your customers updated on a regular basis with helpful moving tips, specials, and industry news.
3. Twitter-If used properly, Twitter can be a very effective and time-saving communications tool. You can link your Twitter account so that it updates your company’s Facebook page, LinkedIn status, and your website with one simple text message. (What?! You don’t text?! You can always update from the comfort of your computer.) In 140 characters or less, you can send updates as often as necessary to keep your message in front of your prospective and current customers. www.tinyurl.com converts lengthy web addresses to a tweetable size so that you still have room to make a comment.
4. Company blog-Keep your customers updated with your company’s activities. Did you open a new location? Add new employees? Upgrade your CRM system? Have a summer picnic? Posting pictures of your offices and employees (with their permission, of course) is a great way to engage with your customers. People want to do business with people that they have a good relationship with. Leveraging your website or blog with personal touches will go a long way to strengthening your customers’ ties to your organization.
5. LinkedIn-My teenage son calls LinkedIn the Facebook of business. You can certainly get in touch with former co-workers and use it as more of a social tool if you want, but LinkedIn is a very powerful network building tool. Joining groups can keep you updated on the industry but can also put you in touch with potential customers. What groups are your customers members of? Join those groups and post helpful tips in the discussion areas. You will create value for your customers and your company.