Social media options great for businesses, but use them wisely
Many entrepreneurs and small businesses are finding social media options to be fast, effective and cost-efficient ways to get their names in front of the public. The key to success is in creating and maintaining positive buzz.
Social media venues such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn allow you to create free (or inexpensive) and easily accessible Web sites on which you can display everything from photos, videos, discussion forums, personal and professional profiles and links to other online portals.
Similarly, social media tools (such as e-mail marketing, blogs and "tweets") can solicit others to receive or view information, often with an interactive element that allows for public and private comment.
It’s important for the image of your business and/or professional life that you select venues and tools that are appropriate for your business, and that you use them wisely.
Consider your demographics, your budget (some sites charge fees) and what you want to get out of each vehicle. Some social media sites are geared toward teens and young adults, while others cater to business professionals.
Just as you’d tweak your traditional marketing messages to appeal to different demographics, the same goes for presenting your company through social mediums.
A word of caution: In the online world, business and personal lives can collide.
How many stories have we heard of highly respected business leaders, educators and politicians whose careers have been sunk due to the discovery of inappropriate online content? Here’s how to protect yourself:
Maintain professional decorum. While social media lends itself to less-formal forms of communication, some standards still apply.
Don’t let pleasure mix with business. It’s easy to track down just about anyone with a quick Google search. In fact, many recruiters, lenders, investors and HR professionals regularly scour the Internet before doing business with an individual just to see if they can find out more about the "real you."
What you say in public about yourself and your company is a reflection of your personal judgment.
You could be a highly accomplished and effective educator, but if the local school district reads your online profile detailing your love of medieval torture techniques, you’re not going to be a likely candidate for that kindergarten teaching job you just applied for.
Social mediums can be a great way to promote yourself, your ideas and your business. Don’t let mistakes turn this tool against you.
Dave Archer is CEO of NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, which helps Nevadans start and grow businesses and connects them to the resources they need to succeed.
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