One of the most common reasons I hear for not using social media is lack of time. I absolutely understand this. Especially as a small business owner! You are super busy, doing just about everything, and the thought of figuring out one more thing is just too overwhelming! But, I also think you can’t ignore what social media can do for your business. And the fact that social media is completely changing the way we do business online! The tools may change, but being social online isn’t going anywhere. So, what are you to do – I say make time for social media.
Start by choosing one social network to begin using. Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, YouTube, a niche site, a forum, a blog – just pick one.
Commit to using that one social network. Fit time into your day to spend time on the site – listening, learning, interacting. Schedule in the time everyday! Whether it is in the morning with your coffee, during your lunch, in the afternoon. Find the time and commit to it every day!
Listen and Learn from others. Pay attention to how others use the site. Read what they are talking about. Comment, connect, interact with people there. Create your own content and share. Don’t just jump in and start bombarding people. Take it slow, and use it as a learning process.
Once you have spent some time getting up to speed with your first social network, join others. The same general rules apply to every tool – be real, be authentic, be helpful, be caring, and build relationships. So once you have gotten the hang of one of the sites, you can take that knowledge and apply it to the others. Although, each social network or group has their own set of rules, so don’t forget to listen first whenever you join a new network.
Then, once you have spent some time on a few of the sites, you can determine what social networking tools will be most beneficial for your business. And focus your efforts there. But, you have to start somewhere, and waiting until you have the time means you never will. Just take it slow and work social media into your current marketing – see where it takes you!
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