Tin Shingle In USA Today - Talking Social Media & Small Business

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Extra, Extra! Read All About It!  This past week I had the pleasure of sharing some Tin Shingle-approved tips with USA Today regarding  small business owners, and how (and why, really) they should make time for social media in their own businesses. 

Over here we are big believers that the "big three" most businesses need include Facebook (a business page), Twitter (for your business) and LinkedIn (often a personal LinkedIn is a fine way to get started).  Sure there are others you may already be using or considering using like Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr and more, and by all means if they're a great fit for your business you go and use those, but we really believe the three mentioned above are non-negotiables! 

Read the USA Today piece for our advice, and see below for more of our recommendations! And while you're reading USA Today, notice their  USA Today Small Business series in general as a go-to resource for you. Scroll down below to get a few more or our "truths" and tips regarding your business and social media, and to get your hands on a few podcasts that will help you as well!

Social Media & Small Business Truths:

1. Yes, you must have a Facebook page that is for business and not use your personal page for this (besides, do you really want business colleagues having access to all your and your family/friend's photos?).

2. Yes you should invest in Twitter, and you should post/reply/check it a couple of times a day.  Not investing time into getting to know Twitter means you won't be learning about how to reach out to press, cultivate powerful media relationships, connect with customers and more - all of which you can do on this free platform!  I promise you, it may feel like a strobe light now or a monster that needs feeding way too much, but it WILL get better and when you understand how to unleash it's power you'll thank me ; )

3. Yes you should have a personal LinkedIn page that highlights your business skills.  This is not a place to talk about your family and your favorite foods. This can be a powerful space to connect with potential partners, investors, cross-promotion partners, colleagues in your field and more!  Be sure yours is always up-to-date (I check weekly!), linked to any blog or Twitter feed you want to share, has your contacts readily available and even houses a professional photo of you!

4. No, you should not leave your social media posting to an intern/assistant/son or daughter/etc. until you really understand it yourself!  This is your company's VOICE online, it is a representation of your brand and business.  Not only do you have to craft it and decide on a strategy and flow that works for you, you have to be sure that people are connecting with your brand and business ethos and spirit!  Until you decide what that is, how can you teach it to anyone else?  Start out doing it on your own, create a "handbook" as to how your posting schedule and strategy should look and then perhaps we can talk about you passing the job along to someone else!

5. Yes, you do need to check into your feeds regularly.  And post regularly!  Social media is a constantly flowing river and if you only post once a day or once a week your posts will be missed by most. Also, when people get to your page if they don't see it actively connecting with people they'll be less likely to invest their time into attention into it.

6.  Yes you need to stop being a wallflower while making sure you don't become a much-too-chatty-Kathy!  You need to be a person at the social media party that people want to speak to! That means you should:

  • ask questions
  • curate information that people who are into your business would be into (not just information about you!)
  • share images
  • share quotes or other inspiring bits and pieces and...
  • really have conversations with your followers!  That way, when you want to share a promotion or sale, or ask them to do something, you're sure to be speaking to an engaged bunch of listeners!

7. YES we have podcasts you can download that can help you!  Here is one you can access right now!

 

Category: 
Press Features Tin Shingle
Social Media