The social media revolution has caused a three-way divide in business communities.
You have those who:
You can meet all sorts of people, especially on Twitter, that you wouldn't stand a chance of meeting out in the real world.
Not only that, but it gives you unprecedented access to your customers (and them to you) meaning you can finally react quickly to their wants, needs and comments.
So what's the problem? Why are you still not using it? Discovering whether you have a social media phobia If you are the type of person who has ever said: "I can't see any point to all this social media nonsense.
" "I don't want to read about what other people had for lunch.
" "No one's going to bother reading what I put out there, so what's the point?" "My customers don't use it, so why should I?" Then you may be suffering from a mild case of phobia, but there's no need to.
Let me ask you something - do you network? I'm guessing you said yes.
Networking is essential to get known for what you do and meet other local business and potential customers.
When you're networking do you only ever talk about business or do you try to establish relationships by chatting about interests you have in common and that sort of thing? I'm guessing your answer to that was once again yes.
Well then, social media is exactly the same except you don't have to take time out of the office to do it.
To be effective in you have to chat, be 'social' and build relationships.
You know, a bit like the way you interact with your customers - the concept really isn't very new (or scary).
So if you already use the techniques required for social media interaction in your every day working life, why are you not using it? Assuming it's not down to shyness or a lack of social skills, that can only leave an issue with technology.
But hang on, you must use that every day too, so that can't be it either.
That just leaves a lack of understanding and of trying something new.
As with all forms of marketing activity, social media takes time to see results.
You can't set up a Twitter account or Facebook page one day and expect superb results the next.
You have to work at it by sharing interesting and relevant information, chatting to others and showing your interest in what they're saying, offering help and advice when needed.
Using social media in your business will help you:
So stop procrastinating and get on with it - go on, get social for 2013.
You have those who:
- Love it
- Hate it
- Simply don't 'get it'
You can meet all sorts of people, especially on Twitter, that you wouldn't stand a chance of meeting out in the real world.
Not only that, but it gives you unprecedented access to your customers (and them to you) meaning you can finally react quickly to their wants, needs and comments.
So what's the problem? Why are you still not using it? Discovering whether you have a social media phobia If you are the type of person who has ever said: "I can't see any point to all this social media nonsense.
" "I don't want to read about what other people had for lunch.
" "No one's going to bother reading what I put out there, so what's the point?" "My customers don't use it, so why should I?" Then you may be suffering from a mild case of phobia, but there's no need to.
Let me ask you something - do you network? I'm guessing you said yes.
Networking is essential to get known for what you do and meet other local business and potential customers.
When you're networking do you only ever talk about business or do you try to establish relationships by chatting about interests you have in common and that sort of thing? I'm guessing your answer to that was once again yes.
Well then, social media is exactly the same except you don't have to take time out of the office to do it.
To be effective in you have to chat, be 'social' and build relationships.
You know, a bit like the way you interact with your customers - the concept really isn't very new (or scary).
So if you already use the techniques required for social media interaction in your every day working life, why are you not using it? Assuming it's not down to shyness or a lack of social skills, that can only leave an issue with technology.
But hang on, you must use that every day too, so that can't be it either.
That just leaves a lack of understanding and of trying something new.
As with all forms of marketing activity, social media takes time to see results.
You can't set up a Twitter account or Facebook page one day and expect superb results the next.
You have to work at it by sharing interesting and relevant information, chatting to others and showing your interest in what they're saying, offering help and advice when needed.
Using social media in your business will help you:
- Discover new business opportunities
- Find new customers
- Engage with your customers at a deeper level
- Improve your customer service
- Make new and interesting contacts
- Raise your profile
So stop procrastinating and get on with it - go on, get social for 2013.
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