It is impossible to come across an office where any employee does not Facebook or tries to go through My Space while trying to work online. Though, it becomes an altogether different case if access to social networking sites is banned in the office. However, mixing work with pleasure is not a crime. In fact this trend seems to be on a rise in the recent past.
It is interesting to note that most of the business houses are trying to improve their profit rates and generate more clients simply by networking online. The business line has been a bit slow to catch on to the social networking wave. But the good news is that it finally has got a grip on it. And this grip only goes on to become stronger by the day.
Why Network Online?
There are a number of business oriented social networking sites which allow individuals to connect with each other, exchange business related information and build important contacts for their business. Till now, most of the business houses tried to connect with new clients via frequently used social networking sites.
But upon noticing the new trend, the latest buzz has it that especially dedicated sites to social networking for businesses will be introduced. In fact, several such sites are already launched and being used by business minded individuals. Some of them include LinkedIn, Plaxo and Visible Path. These sites allow individuals to have one-on-one interpersonal communications with one another without allowing the intimate online interaction which most of the regular social networking sites offer.
Social Networking Sites How Do They Help?
There are a number of social networking sites which influence lead generation, jobs and cracking of more profitable deals for the business. However, if a business is looking forward to engage their customers online and keep them coming back for more, the best bet would be to create a dedicated social networking site for businesses.
Sites, such as Edmunds.com are considered more appropriate if one wants to discuss the latest launched product in the market rather than discussing it on Facebook or My Space. This is the reason why dedicated social networking sites for businesses are considered more successful as compared to the other regular networking sites.
Being closer to the customer is better. A company or business house which is willing to dedicate part of its time and resources in order to connect with their existing and new customers online is bound to succeed one way or the other. More than half of the world is online today. Thus it is better to try and connect with business associates and clients online rather than spending thousands of dollars on advertisements and other promotional activities to showcase a business.
Social networking sites for businesses also allow the business house to provide a dedicated customer support and information center online. This can be accessed by the customers and the business house as soon as they log in and all they need to do then, is stay connected.
When you are learning the ropes of social networking there are a few things that you do and do not want to do. The advice below will help you make the most of your social networking efforts and allow social networking to have the biggest possible impact on your business without taking over your life in the process. Do these things and you should enjoy greater rewards from your social marketing both personally and professionally.
Do set time limits daily for your social networking efforts. It is far too easy to get caught up in the social aspect of social networking. While these efforts can pay off eventually, they can also become means of procrastination, lost productivity, and excessive time away from the human contact of friends and family.
Do remember that everything you say is in a social networking atmosphere will be under microscopic scrutiny. Guard your words carefully and make every word matter. In many platforms characters count so you must say a great deal in as few characters as possible. Don't make claims that you can't support about your products, talents, or abilities. They will come back to haunt you.
Do learn the etiquette of various social networking arenas before you go in plugging your products. It is considered rude by many to go in with plans of benefiting from social networking without making any effort to really build networks first. Make connections, contribute to the greater conversations, and meet new people before you begin to approach others in hopes of selling whatever it is you have to offer.
Do use the contacts you make through social networking to build better partnerships, get to know other names and faces within your niche, and consider joint venture projects. Networking is an important part of social networking and when you are doing business online there are many ways you can make these networks work for you and the other people involved.
Do be polite. It's a small world and word of rudeness gets around. There are some who have built reputations upon the premise the rude people finish first. If this is your goal good luck. Otherwise remember the Golden Rule and treat others the way you want to be treated. It's a great big sandbox. But it looks much better if we can all play nicely together. Besides, everyone you encounter through social networking is a potential partner, friend, or customer. You really can't afford to offend any of them if you are doing business online.
When you do these things above you will find a much warmer and more open reception from others who have already established themselves within the social networking community you are trying to become part of. Just as with most things in life, you will get out of social networking what you put into it. It takes effort to build new networks and make connections but it pays off in the end whether in new business or new friends.
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