Social media: Growing Your Business Responsibly

Website Marketing efforts are as fluid as the seasons we call home. Just 3 years ago no one cared anything about social media in fact most people would be challenged to explain what that meant, at least as far as business promotion was concerned. How quickly the landscape changes, when we are oblivious to the subtleness.
When it comes to finding and communicating online with other internet users of all social groups and financial positions, social network websites are, perhaps, the best way to go. Any serious marketer of today will make the maximum use of social media, or thier online empire will be nothing more than a foolhardy exchange of money, all heading out and none in.

Social media is by its nature designed to expand your friendship to others who for one reason or another would not necessarily fall into your normal sphere of influence. Finding social media sites that tailor to your particular interests is not very hard, in fact its so easy these days its absurd. You can easily find a number of networks by performing a standard internet search. But for the feint hearted or technologically challenged amongst the readership try searching for popular sites such as: MySpace, Orkut, Yahoo! 360, FriendFinder, FriendWise, Facebook, and Classmates. You may have heard of all of these. I personally use three, but am registered with a few more. I use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Its important to not lose focus, so remember that my primary purpose in belonging at any and all Social Media sites is to promote my business. And to do that effectivelly I must conduct my business in the modern style that for all its moderness has its roots in Roman times. Social media is the modern equivalent of the Roman bathhouse where business people hung out to spin a yarn or two about their business. The internet mearly allows some latitude in those proceedings.

Now almost all SM has a profile page where you can post your Resume, and describe your fit in life. Most are rather arcane and obscure but if you run a business make this page count. One of the most important things to include in your profile at each social network is your photograph. While a personal photograph is optional, it is ideal. Many internet users enjoy taking to someone that they can see in their minds, without a photo this is impossible and will lose you sales as a result. Some business use a logo and this is for Branding purposes which is great if thats your gig. Personally, from the standpoint of using social networking for small business promotion, I think it is unprofessional to not included a decent photograph of yourself. If you are looking to use social network websites just to meet new friends you may not necessarily need to post a private picture.

In addition to your photograph, you may want to include your name. Now, when it comes to your name, you need to be cautious. You are advised against giving your full name, especially if your profile or profile page contains a personal photograph of you. In addition to your name, you may want to put down your location. As with your name it is important to display caution. Your picture, your address, and your full name can be dangerous, especially if it falls into the wrong hands. As much as you would like to fill your social networking profiles with personal information, you are advised to think about your safety before anything else. One absolute “NO – No” is to post your actual full birthdate. This is one thing that can be used to clone or steal your Identity.

You may also want to include information on yourself. This information may include your hobbies, issues that are important to do, your likes, and your dislikes. With many social network websites, including MySpace, you will find that there are preset profile fields for this information. In addition to preset questions or categories on your likes and dislikes, you may also find additional information, including fun questionnaires.

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should not only be able to create an online social networking profile that is filled with valuable information, but you can do so while staying safe at the same time. Your safety on the internet is in your hands, that is why it is important to think about safety, as well as your perceived internet popularity.

Once you are established with a social network or two, you will need to spend a little time at each learning what is available. Once you have built a few relationships it may be time to start putting a little marketing in. We are afterall in this for the money…………..arn’t we?

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