Getting The Most From Your Social Networking Efforts

No one enjoys the idea of wasting a lot of time for a little return. For this reason it is important that you have a plan in place to get the most of your social networking efforts. You always want the maximum possible return on your investment in Internet marketing and time is money. Unfortunately, social networking requires a rather significant investment of time in order to be successful. Consider taking the steps below in order to ensure that you are getting the best return for the amount of time you are investing in social networking.

1) Use programs that respond to multiple social networking platforms at once. FriendFeed is one of the most popular because it allows you to make one comment that reaches followers and friends on multiple platforms. This saves time and makes your efforts pay off more quickly. Additionally you aren't taking the time to log into multiple social networking platforms each and every time you wish to leave a message.

2) Establish a schedule for social networking and only work within that schedule. This keeps you from going overboard with your socializing efforts and keeps you on task for the business at hand. You want to avoid spending too much time on social networking and falling behind in work and family commitments. Schedules make that possible and help keep your business profitable. It also helps make sure you put in enough time for the social networking tasks at hand every day.

3) Talk to people in your networks rather than talking at them. Make direct comments and take an interest in what those within your network have to say. This will help them remember you and watch what you have to say more closely in the future.

4) Be helpful to others whenever possible. This has a larger impact than you may realize. People really are watching what you do and paying attention to how you treat others. When you help others someone is going to know. When you help people within your niche or area of expertise it will make an impression on those who don't need help now or aren't looking for partnerships now. The good news is that when they do, they will remember you.

5) Learn from your mistakes but don't quit because you've made them. This is one lesson that is difficult for many people to learn. You will gain a lot more respect by admitting your mistakes and asking for forgiveness, help, or advice than you will by simply disappearing for a while or leaving and coming back with a new name. Besides, it takes a lot longer to start from scratch than to begin again with an apology.

In order to really get the most from your social networking efforts you need to make consistent efforts while remaining thoroughly in charge of those efforts. Don't post things when you're too tired to choose your words carefully and don't spend every waking moment trying to build up your network.