Turn Your Social NOTworking Efforts into Effective Social Networking

I’d bet that many of you would classify your efforts with Social Networking as “social NOT working.”

It’s NOT working until you engage in conversations, spread your expertise, and most importantly “add value.” With hundreds of social media sites out there, it’s hard to maintain focus and really add value and stay active on every site.

So, start by focusing your efforts on these top five social media sites.  Here is a brief overview.

1. YouTube.com

This is the most popular video content sharing site. If you’re new to YouTube, go get your channel, which is to say go sign up for your account  – your account name is your channel name so select it wisely. It’s better to have a keyword phrase or your name than it is to have your name with a number or something obscure. For example, I have a few channels, but my main channel is www.youtube.com/primeconcepts (go subscribe now).   I also have www.youtube.com/fordsaeks, but too many people spell my name wrong so I send the traffic to the Prime Concepts channel. There are several other popular video sharing sites each with their own theme, but master YouTube first.  Then you can leverage your efforts on other video sharing sites, using sites such as www.TubeMogul.comfor starters. Share value-added content and watch your business grow.

More on Youtube marketing on future postings…

2. Facebook

Facebook is the most popular “social community type” site.I’m sure that most of you reading this have your Facebook account by now. If not, join the 350 million people currently using Facebook and get with the program. Set up a Facebook Fan Page and join groups that focus around your subjects of interest. Start by visiting, listening and exploring. It’s about participation, community, and networking. Set your privacy settings accordingly and don’t abuse your friends list with constant promotions about your latest product or event. You’ll monetize your efforts once you participate in guiding connection and encouraging relevant dialogue.

3.LinkedIn

Another important type of social media site is focused around professional networking. www.LinkedIn.com is a great business development tool with its own unique advantages. Again, get your account, set up your profile and invest in creating a network of professionals that can help you make new contacts. Sure, you can add your buddies and coworkers, but you should think beyond that to the types of clients you want to reach. For example, one of my clients wanted to reach the CEO of a top name brand company – traditional methods had failed. I sent a Linkedin invitation to connect and within 15 minutes was accepted into this CEO’s personal network, was able to start a dialogue that is now leading to a multi-million dollar proposal. Go to your profile now and make sure its updated and create new connections.

4. Your Blog

You have one… right?  If not, why not?  Preferably you have a wordpress blog as part of your regular website because of the popularity and the many add-ons that are available for syndication and ease of use. If you can e-mail, you can blog.  The key is to use multiple forms of content, from text to audio and video, which inspire thought, encourage comments and link backs to your blog. Your blog also has huge search engine optimization benefits if you title, tag and post valuable content.  It’s better to post shorter targeted posts more regularly than long posts monthly.  They become great content management systems (CMS) that you can manage without the high costs of web developers.

5. Twitter

Then there is the  micro-blogging site www.Twitter.com. Sure, you probably have an account, but how effective has it been for you? A great resource is the book by Joel Comm Twitter Power: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time
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If you build your follower list and tweet something your followers can use at least once a day, you will quickly establish your position as an expert and the go-to person for advice and information in your field.

Post your favorite SMM site and why?   Or let me know what your biggest question is about Social Networking and I’ll address it on future posts.