SOCIAL MEDIA + YOU

So you have a startup. You’ve done all the hard work and now your dreams are a reality. You have a small staff, office space, and even an office dog. Now, you just need customers.

It doesn’t take a PHD to know that a business isn’t really a business without a solid customer base. You can offer the most amazing products in the world, but if no one chooses to purchase them, they really hold no value.

How important is a strong internet presence anyways? How do you find a voice in this intricate web of websites, facebook pages and twitter accounts? 

Over half the US population accesses some form of social media site everyday. With such a large market, it’s imperative that your small business find a voice in social media, and find a voice fast. How do you do that?

Do a little research and make friends

You probably had to research for your business plan. Since you’re an old pro, why not use those same techniques and apply them to your internet presence. Type your business name, product, service or key phrases relating to your company into Google. What comes up? Why not search for your brand on Twitter. If individuals are talking about your product/service, or something similar, why not follow them and begin a dialogue? Who’s to say your company isn’t exactly what they’ve been looking for?

Take advantage of your existing fans/partners

There is no one more qualified to talk about your product than your friends, existing customers, and employees. Think “word of mouth” but apply that to the internet. So, it would be something like “internet of mouth”. Ask them to retweet you, ‘like’ and recommend you on facebook, create hype on google+, etc. Don’t be ashamed to tap into your existing resources, they will be your greatest advocates (and it’s free marketing).

Make sharing fool proof

You may hesitate to be repetitive when it comes to your social media, but I believe it never hurts to remind people where they can find you. Share your twitter account on your facebook page, and share your facebook page on your twitter account. Provide links to your social media sites in your e-mails. Make signing up for your newsletter as easy as 1…2…3…

For example: If you use MailChimp as your primary e-mail client they offer a great e-mail signup app for your facebook page. Just link up their tab to your page and your ‘likers’ will have instant access to your newsletter.

Strive for 50 advocates over 500 ‘fans’

It’s easy to strive for numbers. It’s impressive when a facebook page has 100,000 fans, or when a twitter account has 400,000 followers… but what does that really do for your business? Your number one goal for your social media accounts should be to create a place for advocates to help spread the word about your business. So, say you have 1,000 fans and they all love your business, and they all say great things about you all the time, over time you’ll have not only tons of followers, but a really loyal base to back you up. On the other hand, maybe you have 100,000 ‘fans’… they know about your business, they gobble up your special offers, but when push comes to shove they don’t do their part to advocate for you. Strive for loyal advocates, not just fans.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day

Social media integration takes time. It’s easy for a brand like Coca Cola to gain followers by the 100,000’s in a matter of days because they are a globally recognized brand that’s been around for years. You just started a few months ago, it’s okay if you don’t break records. It’s even ok if it takes you awhile to build a strong social media backing. The internet is full of stuff, your brand might just take awhile to find it’s voice.

Be creative and create a consistent voice

It’s important that all of your social media sites speak the same language and promote the same values. I suggest starting from your mission statement, and then look at your company goals and values. If those 3 things are consistent and made apparent on your website and social media sites, you have nothing to worry about. You won’t gain your customer’s trust if your facebook says one thing and your website says another. Consistency is key. AND don’t be afraid to take chances… what’s the worst that could happen? It doesn’t work? Oh well, pick yourself up and try your next crazy idea. Eventually something will work.

Above all, have fun

Social media is awesome because it allows you to communicate with your customers in a way no one has had the chance to before. Instant communication is one of twitter and facebook’s biggest appeal for businesses. It gives your customers a chance to see what your company is made of, and feel like they are connected on a more personal level. My motto isn’t “all work and no play” … I think it’s okay to break up the serious business talk with a little light hearted humor. I’m always more inclined to buy from or use a service from a company who has a good sense of humor.

Bottom line: do your homework, make some friends, have patience, be creative and live a little. If you follow those simple rules you should be booming in the social media world in no time!

Do you have a startup social media success story?

You’ve probably seen this icon popping up all over the web. 

So… what is it? And why is it taking the internet by storm?

Pinterest began in 2009, but didn’t reach it’s “open to the public” beta stage until 2010. The site didn’t explode until mid-2011 however, when women and designers alike took it by storm. It’s developers wanted to create a site that allowed friends and strangers to share their favorite things with one another.

What’s the hype about?

Pinterest allows you to “pin” your favorite photos, DIY ideas, fonts, designs, recipes, and clothes to your “board”. Your followers can access your categorized “boards” and check out your favorite things. If they like it, they can access the website you located it from originally and purchase it, or make it, or paint it, or design it, etc. You can also “re-pin” other’s photos, creating a world of DIY idea sharing and creativity.

On a personal level, Pinterest serves as place to share your favorite things with your friends. Do you LOVE Star Wars die-cuts for your bedroom walls? Well maybe your friends will too. Did you find a really delicious recipe called “S’more Reeses Campfire Bars”? Well maybe your friends would like to know how to make those too. Do you know of a great DIY artist who posts exclusively about creating cat needle-point masterpieces? Perhaps your feline-fond-friends would like to view the beauty.

Pinterest is great on a personal level, but what does it do for my business?

Use it to show what your company is all about

• You can’t blast photos of your products - that’s not in good taste, and that goes against what Pinterest’s mission. Get creative. You can upload to as many boards as you care to create. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. If you’re a bakery, start a board for breads, dough types, and kneading methods. If you work in fashion create boards dealing with drawings, prototypes, and prints. Create boards that show what your company is about and the different components that come together to form your business. Just stay away from selling your brand. Remember, authenticity is key on Pinterest.

Listen to your followers

• Monitor your followers. If they are watching your pins, they are most likely pinning to their own boards. Check out their boards and see what they’re interested in. If you’re noticing a trend, try to tap into those customer’s tastes by posting about those interests. Your followers are offering up a lot of information relating to their tastes and interests, why not utilize that information to benefit you?

Give your followers the VIP treatment

• If you’re a company with a product, or a t-shirt, or a sticker … ask your followers to pin photos of themselves wearing (or using) your stuff. Have them tag you in it, and post those photos to a special VIP board. 

Contests - because who doesn’t want free things?

• Contests are a great way to get your customers involved. You shouldn’t upload your own product photos, but that doesn’t mean your customers can’t. Ask individuals to post photos of your products on their custom “your company’s name” pinboard. Have them upload 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 photos of your product or brand via your website, blogs, personal photos, etc. Once complete, they’ll send their board URL to you and you’re at liberty to choose your favorite board as the winner, or perhaps it’s just the first 5 people to complete the task, etc.

Finding a voice for your company on Pinterest may require a little thought, but once integrated you’re only boosting your viral presence and hopefully creating a greater brand awareness.

Do you use Pinterest? How has it benefited you, or your company? Have any good, creative ideas?

Social media is great for business. It provides customers with up-to-date information about the company, encourages interaction between the business and it’s faithful followers, and hopefully boosts sales/business.

But social media is also good for something else - you. 

I’ve spent years on social media. I’ve seen the positive influence it can have for a business in a professional setting. But I’ve also seen what it can do for me, personally. 

1. Facebook may seem invasive - but it gives you the opportunity to share valuable personal information that your family and friends will see in real time. For example: I got engaged at the end of November. Within moments of the actual proposal my friends and family knew I was engaged and I didn’t have to do anything more than post it to my Facebook (and Instagram and Twitter and check-in to “Engagement Site” on Foursquare). But, are you picking up what I’m putting down? 500 of my closest friends and family got to share in my special moment as it happened, with minimal work on my end.
2. Like it or not, you probably stay better connected with your “far away” friends because of these sites. Most people don’t like to admit that the majority of things they know about their friends comes from social media. I can’t tell you how many parties or family functions I’ve been to and heard a conversation that went like this: Person A: “So last week I met up with John and we ate at In n…” Person B: “Oh ya, I saw that on Facebook. You had a burger and loved it!” Likewise, if you live in America and your friend lives in Europe, you probably keep up with each other via Facebook posts and chats. There’s nothing wrong with utilizing social media as one of your main communication tools. Phone calls are good, but if you can’t call, Facebook isn’t a bad second choice.
3. Your family feels more connected to you because Facebook keeps them in the loop. If you don’t live at home anymore, or even if you do… if you are “friends” with your family, you are keeping them happy. Don’t get me wrong, hanging with your family in person is the best way to go, BUT social media allows you to keep your family in the loop without having to talk to them every day. You keep them happy and updated, and maybe you’ll get out of some of those family dinners.
4. Social media can help build your reputation up for potential employers. If you think your employer hasn’t checked you out on your social media sites, then you’re out of the loop. One of first things employers do now is plug your name in the nearest search engine - if your social media sites show up and are public, they are going to look at them. It has nothing to do with invading privacy, and everything to do with trying to figure you out on a more personal level. Use your Facebook, Twitter, Blog and Google+ to help build up your character. Be yourself, but give your future (or current) employers, a reason to hire you (or keep you around).
5. Social media can be your friend, and help you find some too. The online dating market has skyrocketed in success rates over the last few years. Thousands of people are meeting each other online, going on dates, and getting married. Don’t discount the potential for future friends or even a spouse through a social media site. I’ve made Twitter friends that became real-life friends. The power of communication through social media is real, and if you keep an open mind, you may find some of your closest friends on there.

Whether you use social media to keep your family up to date, as a tool for business, or just something you play around with, remember that it can help define for others who you are. Let social media be personal, it might surprise you where it will take you.