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How to Use Social Networking Sites to Market Yourself
Do you want ways to connect quickly with many people? Then social networking is for you!
Featured Author:
Ann M. Evanston
Capture imagination. Capture power. Capture success. Within every woman there is a warrior. Her power is strong, loving and captivating. She is able to draw people in so they WANT to be a part. Are you capturing all you can as a business owner? Entrepreneurial-Women-Now.com is a site where Ann works with women in business to pitch, market and grow their business! ZenaEnterprises.com launches this winter!
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Ann Evanston | Excelle
Do you need more exposure for your business? Do you want ways to connect quickly with many people? Then social networking is for you!
Many entrepreneurs, like myself, are on social network sites like Excelle.com. The opportunity to expose our business is there, but do we understand how to use it to grow?
Web 2.0 has greatly changed the face of business – it is simply amazing! What you want to realize is that trusted friends – online and offline – refer and do business faster and more efficiently than, say, advertising.
Here are my tips on using online social networking to increase your business:
1. Join sites that interest you, so you will have fun participating. Pick sites that will you a chance to showcase your expertise. Being a member on Excelle has allowed me to share my insights as an entrepreneurial woman which increases my business exposure.
2. When you sign up, make sure you are a REAL person! Don’t be “sxychk2008” or “businessmama.” Use your real name – NOT your company name because it feels like you are selling your business. After all, how can people do business with you if they cannot find you? As a small business owner, I need people to be able to get access to me easily – the harder I make it the less likely they are to do so. And your name should ALWAYS be search-engine optimized!
3. Actively participate by commenting on discussions and starting your own discussions. Be careful that you do not shove your business down everyone’s throat! A common mistake I see is someone joins the network then immediately posts a “discussion” about their business. Your profile is about what you do! When you can weave your expertise into a discussion, then you build your business credibility. Remember: you are there to be social first. Your business can grow because you “play” according to the site users’ interests!
lasnow1219
over 1 year ago
8 comments
Good information, very informative!
fatimah
over 1 year ago
88 comments
Very useful one,i need to socialise and make freinds.so i m starting right away!!
Belkis
almost 2 years ago
152 comments
This was a great article with useful tips.
stephanie_rbrts1
almost 2 years ago
18 comments
Thanks for all the info about networking and socializing using the web. But how do you add people when you don't know their email address?
AngieToussaint
almost 2 years ago
144 comments
What a fantastic article. Very well written, clear and concise. Solid advice.
Thanks for sharing. Check out the number of views! Too awesome!
~Angie
Excelle_Editor
almost 2 years ago
552 comments
Even social networks are social networking: you can now follow Excelle on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/Excelle
Follow other Excelle ladies on Twitter, too! Check it out:
http://excelle.monster.com/topics/2033-do-you-twitter/posts
AnnEvanston
almost 2 years ago
1864 comments
I just have to say that in 2008 I have increased profits in my business by $20,000 becasue of social networking! In addition, 4 speaking engagements and a book deal! This really does work!
CLyles
about 2 years ago
2 comments
This is great great information.
JPD5366
about 2 years ago
8 comments
AWESOME information!!! Looks like I have some changes to make :O)
AnnEvanston
about 2 years ago
1864 comments
Here is another lesson I learned: are the participants (members) people who will buy your product or service? Spend time playing where they play!
AJaneChambers
about 2 years ago
438 comments
Recently received advice to concentrate on one networking site in order to maximize participation and visibility - the more sites that you have to monitor the less time that you have to contribute with postings, etc.
RedDahlia
about 2 years ago
244 comments
Thank you, this is helpful information!
PKRomans
about 2 years ago
4 comments
I truly believe in networking. Networking is more than just speaking with those whom you wish to share your ideas. Networking is also when sitting in a public place and how you conduct your manners, have you listened to what you are saying, what would the person at the next table think of you and your company? What kind of impression do you leave and most importantly what is the first impression you make. The other day I was at a local eatery, the woman who walked through the door was a most stunning business woman, so I thought, she was so rude from the get go to the hostess, to the server, and her attitude towards others in the community were coming right out of her mouth in public. Oh my, remember "Networking" exists everywhere you go, so please be kind to one another and remember what your mother said, "If it is not nice, do not say it." I know it came to bite that woman - she lost her job, the person at the next table was the CEO's girlfriend. Surprise!
AnnEvanston
about 2 years ago
1864 comments
stgreg11 it is awful that something like that has happened to you - I too have been stalked. When it happened to me – there were no laws to help. It cannot stop me from growing my business, or I make no money. Please again remember this article is for women who have a business they need to grow. Your incident just like Kar23’s is a FACE-to-FACE example as well. The "possibility" of being hurt is always there. As a small business owner we need to create the “possibility” of greatness which always requires risk. Like anything, doing our homework is key. This site, who runs it, the company behind it, I would (and have) taken that risk – it has been good – for my business – which is the goal of this article. Are you starting your own business? Is it growing? If you are here just to play I stay anonymous, absolutely!
Account Removed
about 2 years ago
I understand Kar's concerns since an anonymous man stalked me when I was in college. Ironically, I was dating a police officer at the time. I got these creepy phone calls and was afraid to be home alone.
When I was pregnant with my son, a student made as many as 30 harassing phone calls per day to my house. Many of the phone calls were between midnight and 2 a. m. Because the student used a phone registered to a tenant in his building, the police could not arrest the student. I was upset by the actions of this kid because I respected him and he was a good student in my class. After this incident, I paid for an unlisted number and restricted the use of my phone number in the school directory.
There are people who will use your personal information in a negative manner. In my former state, several girls were followed and then raped by sexual predators who had read their online profiles.