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Tips for the top social media platforms

Social Media IconsWe are often asked to speak at groups and events about social media.  Everyone wants to know how to use social media effectively. 

In some ways, the answer is simple – set up correctly, know and use your keywords and then engage with your audience by posting on your chosen social media platform(s) regularly.

However, the plethora of social media networks can be overwhelming.  If you don’t use them personally it can be very daunting to use an online system that you are not familiar with.  And even if you are a regular personal user of social media, crossing the boundaries into business social communication can be difficult.  Add to this that the news media keep telling us about the negatives of social media and protecting our privacy, it’s no wonder some people struggle.

For a small-medium business owner, there are 3 choices:

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No Secrets – The Success of Social Media in Small Business

.There really are no secrets when it comes to the success of social media as a business tool.  The sheer convenience of being able to communicate and interact with customers is enticing a growing number of businesses to jump on the social media bandwagon.


According to the 2011 Domainz eBiz Review, 50% of businesses with an online presence were using social media, compared with just 29% in 2010.  In the next 12 months, the majority of the 725 businesses polled plan to increase their investment in website and internet tools.

But it’s not enough that your business is using social media – you need to be using it in the right way.  That’s where marketing specialist Kerry Ensor, founder of Social Media Mgr, comes in.  The impact of specialist advice on business social media strategy can be the difference between success and failure.

Some local businesses have shared their experiences on how social media has helped them.

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Is anybody out there?


For social media to be effective you need to be where your customers are, … Read More

The Power of LinkedIn for Business Professionals

Top Tips for Utilising LinkedIn – Why and How to use LinkedIn as a business professional.

Are you on Linkedin?

Why wouldn’t you be?

Everyone in business – especially consultants and sales people – can benefit from using Linkedin.

Here are some Facts to introduce the Power of LinkedIn:

1.  There are 80 million users worldwide!

2.  Over 50% of these users are at senior management level

3.  Their average household income is US$107k

4.  Approximately 20% of the total users are small business people

In summary,

“there is no other social networking site where you have a greater chance of being able to interact with an influential decision maker”, Neil Schaffer of Windmill Networking

LinkedIn is like a Virtual Trade-Show, operating 24/7

If you are a business professional, particularly one who relies on networks, it is essential that you are on LinkedIn.

And done properly, it will support your other marketing activity.

There is more to utilizing LinkedIn than just setting up a Profile and accepting connection requests.  As more and more people use Linkedin as a networking tool, those with incomplete or out-of-date Profiles are missing out and, worse still, negatively portrayed.

What is your Social Media Goal for the LinkedIn Platform? For example:  Do you want to advance your career, raise your personal profile, market your brand, meet new contacts, grow your business into a new area, develop and strengthen business relationships etc etc.

Perhaps it’s all of the above.  These are all possible on LinkedIn.

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Later in this Article, I will introduce you to 5 easy ways to effectively utilise this professional social media tool to promote yourself and grow your business.

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Firstly, the Key Reasons to be on Linkedin are:

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Sky News Australia talks Social Media for Small Business

I have just watched a fantastic news clip from Sky News from last Friday (12th Nov), called Technology Behind Business where they interview a panel of Australian Social Media experts.

If you haven’t got 13 mins to watch the interview in full, I have summarised it below.  Some great content, especially how they summarise Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin from a business perspective.  Also, I enjoyed listening to hear the Aussie accent for a change  :)

Summary:

It starts off introducing the topic by saying that

SME’s (small to medium sized businesses) view Social Media as the “unknown” with more than 50% currently shying away from it …… Read More