More on using Social Media Sites for Business

Some other ideas to use in your Social Media Sites. In an earlier post, I talked about Social Media Sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc., and how to use them to build YOUR BRAND. Today I thought I'd offer a few ways to tie them all together so that one leads to another and then to another and so on.

First, let me get this off my chest. I think most of you can relate with me on this.

I see alot of people throwing out links to their opportunities, mainly on Faceboook and Twitter. That is the FASTEST way to annoy people and get them to not read anything from you. After-all... why should they read your posts if all they are is advertisements they don't want in the first place. How about some substance for a change.

Toss in a few quotes or a funny video or two. Maybe even a quiz or poll. Even links to an interesting article or blog post would be better than a link to XYZ company or product. The whole point in Social Sites is SOCIAL. You may have heard this said before, but I think it bears repeating: If you were at a party and someone had walked in with a handful of business cards and started interrupting others' conversations by handing out those cards, do you REALLY think that person would be welcome for very long? Well, that's kind of the same thing with those that like to toss their links out in the Social Sites.

Ok, on to the subject at hand.

Let's say that you use Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. You can substitute any of these with any sites you currently use... there are hundreds if not thousands out there. Twitter, as you may know, allows you to only send out 140 character messages. This can force you to be creative when "tweeting". Connecting all your sites together, so that anyone wanting to can connect with you on multiple levels, I think, would also be considered "fair play".

Make an attractive Twitter profile page and put up urls to your other sites to allow people to connect if they choose. People are always looking to grow their list of friends, followers, etc. In fact, do this on all your sites. The whole purpose is to connect with others and get to know them as they get to know you. You are trying to build YOURSELF as a knowledgeable individual in the sea of infinite others.

You can use twitter to bring others to your Facebook or YouTube page, where you might have an informative video awaiting them, or some other piece of useful information. THAT's what people want... something they can use. The more you can offer that, the better your chances of gaining a loyal following, and possibly then you might begin to offer links to your programs. You have to build that trust first.

I know I have been guilty of posting useless links myself. Let me rephrase that. I've sent out links to things I was excited about, but others found useless, because that was NOT what they were looking for. Let's face it. Most of the people on our lists are already involved in some program or other, and most of those do not want to get involved in another.

Just remember...use your sites in conjunction with each other, and always use them to build that relationship of trust FIRST, and The more you help others, the more you help yourself and good things will follow.

As always, comments welcome.