Understand the different types of social media websites
Here’s a summary of what the different types of social media websites do.
Social bookmarking: A social bookmarking site allows you to add your favourite websites so that friends and other users can see them and comment on them. Delicious and Digg are two examples.
Social networks: These are social media websites that work around building communities. They allow you to create or join groups, make contacts and communicate in a variety of ways with the other people in your network. Some of these sites are specifically targeted at certain groups of people. For example, Linked In is purely focused on business networking.
Social media: YouTube and Flickr, are the two most popular examples. They allow you to create a page or “channel” of videos or images. Other users can “follow” your channel and contributions are often ranked by popularity.
Blogs: A blog (short for web log) in its simplest form is a journal. Blogs traditionally have one small article or “post” per day, which is archived as time moves on. The social aspect of blogging is the comment function, which allows a visitor to write a response to any of the posts in the blog.
Micro blogs: Twitter is the best example of this relatively new medium. Twitter lets you post very short little text messages “tweets”, telling your friends or family what you are doing. For example, “Just had a great coffee..” or “In an interesting conference.” Twitter lets you to follow other people’s tweets, and allows you to manage your tweets from your mobile phone or hand held device.
Forums: These have been around for a long time. They are websites that allow discussion on particular topics. The small business forum at flyingsolo.com.au/forums/ is a great example.
Do some research!
Have a look around at some of the different social media websites. Read what other people are saying and see how they are contributing. You need to have a think about which ones might be suitable for your business. Are the participants likely to become your customers? Might they be potential suppliers or perhaps they could offer you advice?
A great way to promote yourself and your business as an expert in your field is to join a forum that relates to your business. For example, a landscape architect might start participating in a gardening forum by answering questions and helping people with useful advice. This situation puts the landscape architect in direct contact with people who are thinking about improving their gardens.
Don't forget to set up your forum profile and signature so that people can contact you easily.
Blogs are probably the next port of call. Commenting on blogs is another way to build your online reputation and generate interest in your business. Again, making sure that people can find a link to your site from your comment is very important.
If you have the ability to create videos or audio pod casts, then a site like YouTube or blubrry.com could offer some great promotional opportunities.
Where should I start?
Create a list of social media websites that you are going to participate in. Start with two or three and make sure that you give them some genuine attention. Set aside at least an hour two or three times per week to network in your new world of social media.
You'll be surprised at the results. Do it for a week and let us know how you go.
“ A great way to promote yourself and your business as an expert in your field is to join a forum that relates to your business. ”
Tristan Boyd is a website and internet marketing specialist. Through his business, Boyd Design, he provides cost effective and powerful solutions to SMEs and soloists.
