Being a small business owner can be extremely overwhelming at times, particularly when it comes to trying to manage the brick and mortar business in addition to building an online presence. This is one of the reasons why I hired a social media manager for my small business, but today I have decided to throw together some ideas to help small business owners like me to get started on their social media campaigns!
Five Things You Should Do to Build Your Social Media Presence
1. Create a Facebook page for your personal or business brand.
It is important to create a specific Facebook page for your brand to ensure that you have the real estate on Facebook to get increased exposure for your business.
2. Don’t use a personal Facebook profile for your business
Using a personal Facebook profile for your business is something that should be avoided because it mixes personal acquaintances with those interested in your business and gives an unprofessional appearance.
3. Create a Twitter Account
Just as it is important to secure real estate on Facebook for your business, it is important to ensure that you have secured Twitter real estate as well.
4. Create a Tumblr Account
Tumblr is an often overlooked avenue of social media networking but it is just as important as a means to gain exposure for your business.
5. Create a LinkedIn Account
LinkedIn is not only a great avenue to meet other individuals in your profession who can help to give you tips, but it is also a good way to find and secure employees.
Parting Shots
Even if you don’t have any intention of utilizing social media for your small business it is important to complete the four tips listed above because it ensures that you secure the real estate pertinent to your small business in case you should ever change your mind.
Your Turn
What other tips do you have when it comes to social media marketing of your small business? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: robertdempsey
Hello John. I was wondering: Is Tumblr still effective. I don’t hear much about it these days and was wondering if it’s working for yiou as well as it should?
Rule no2 is the most cummon mistake that people do. Business must ALLWAYS have a Fan Page and not a “human” profile.
Kostas@Greek SEO Blog´s last [type] ..Open Graph Protocol: Σωστή χρήση των Facebook meta tags
Twitter: kbloemendaal
Not using a profile for your page has got to be the best tip, too many small biz owners try to do everything in house and don’t understand the platforms…
Keith@ Social Web 101´s last [type] ..HootSuite vs. TweetDeck 2011
Twitter: Rancorinfotech
I’ve a LinkedIn account but don’t know how to utilize it for best outcome. I’ve read more about FB and twitter but not much about LinkedIn.
Aanchal @ Website Design India´s last [type] ..Website Design in India
Twitter: extremejohn
Do a few searches on my blog I’ve written about LinedIn a few times, or check out LewisHowes blog, he’s a LinkedIn maniac.
Twitter: jonstokes
It’s worth also thinking about YouTube and Flickr, even if you don’t go on to use them you will have the option, and then you don’t let someone else take the username.
Twitter: extremejohn
Excellent additions to the list Jon and actually a big fail on my part for rushing this article, I should have included YouTube. Thank you.
Twitter: stevescott1
John,
What are your thoughts on Google + in this mix?
With it’s fast growth and the way that Google is linking some of the google + social stats to their algorithm in the days ahead, it seems to me that this is one of those things that a small businessman might want to make sure they get in the “ground floor” of.
What are your thoughts in reference to Google + in comparison to twitter/fB fanpage/Tumblr etc.
Steve@Affiliate Marketing Tips´s last [type] ..The Pomodoro Technique: Internet Productivity 25-Minutes at a Time?
Twitter: extremejohn
I think Google needs to hurry up and get it’s Google+ small business pages or places pages integrated so that small business owners can get to work. Once they open that door I’ll need to rewrite this as “6 social media basics small business owners should do”. Google is going to be a player in the social space, if they can get their release to the public and the business integration done before the excitement wears off.
These might be just the basics but It certainly packs a huge impact on the business campaign.. If the small business owners take social media seriously enough then they might be up to something good..
kevin´s last [type] ..Reviewing The Casio CTK-2100 61 Key Personal Keyboard
Twitter: extremejohn
There’s no doubt that you can get out of social media what you’re willing to put in to building your social media presence.
Nice suggestions. I’d love to try one or two of the social media one of these days. Just that I’m a little bit unsure for now as I’m just starting out.
Twitter: extremejohn
This might help Victor http://ebook.extremejohn.com
Twitter: HotBlogTips
Nice tips John, I have everything except Tumblr. I spent a little time today updating my LinkedIn profile but it’s still pretty pathetic. My FB page is brand new so I need to get a decent landing page on there.
Like Jon mentioned, YouTube is a big one and I just setup a new account there. I’m a bit worried about that because YouTube has been known to delete accounts from people that have multiple channels. I may try to delete my old one.
I was searching bookmarking sites a couple of days ago and was blown away with how many there are now. Hundreds show up on Google search but most of them seem pretty small.
Looking at your Twitter profile makes me realize I need to do better with a background image. We know exactly where we are before we even see the name on your Twitter profile and I think that’s the best thing to shoot for. I really like Kristi’s profile a lot too.
Brian D. Hawkins@Blog Tips´s last [type] ..Outsource Blogging Tasks For $5 On Fiverr
Twitter: extremejohn
It looks like you are making some solid headway Brian, it also seems like you might be getting a little overwhelmed with having each thing perfect immediately. Once you claim your accounts you can than decide which ones are the most important to you and which one’s you seem to be gaining the most influence on (if any at the time). As that comes together focus on the details for that specific social media site, consider it it’s own small project and work it until the bio and page are complete and to your liking, once complete move on to the next small project. In a few short days each of your profiles will be clean and ready for the growing process.