Tips for getting the most from social networking sites

Choose wisely - there are many social networking sites to choose from so make sure you don't spread yourself too thin. Do a bit of research and find out which sites are most suited to your type of business- who is your target audience and are they likely to use that specific social network? For example if you are hoping to connect with business professionals then LinkedIn is probably the most suitable site to use, however if you are hosting gigs or promoting your online store then Facebook would be more beneficial to you. Once you have chosen the social networking sites suited to your business make sure you are comfortable with how to use it, most social networks will give you guidance on how to use their site to its maximum potential- alternatively contact a marketing company who will be able to help you get started.

Build your profile - before you start inviting friends or looking for links make sure you build your profile in full. There is no point inviting people to connect with you if they can't find out anything about you. As soon as you have set up an account you need to complete your profile- this can be quite time consuming so make sure you allocate a good chunk of time to complete it all. If it is a professional site like LinkedIn always stay professional! Potential customers do not want to be reading about your weekend drinking habits, and your profile picture should not be of you laying on a beach during your summer holiday to Greece! The main thing here is to make sure that your company description is clear, that there is a link to your website so people can find out more about your business, and you include your contact information on your signature, so when you post on forums or leave a comment in a group, others will know how to contact you.

Be consistent across your networks - if you have profiles on several social networks make sure that your details are consistent across all of them. This way your connections will recognise you immediately and add you to all of their networks. It is also key that your business message is clear and consistent. If you mix your messages across different social networks your connections may doubt the legitimacy of your business and will be wary of doing business with you.

Stay active - Once you have set your accounts up it is important to be active and make regular updates. This will keep your business appearing in your contacts news feeds. Not only that, by visiting social networking sites regularly you are also more likely to spot business opportunities and build stronger relationships with your contacts. Regular updates to your status or blog can also help to improve your rankings on search engines too.

Submit useful content- when using social networking for business you need to ensure that you submit content that is useful to others. By submitting content that people will find useful or interesting will make people more likely to continue to follow you. Good quality, knowledgeable posts and updates will also show that you are a professional in your industry making people more likely to seek your advice and do business with you in the future.

Need help setting up your social networking accounts? Contact First Impression on 01457 857111 or email to see how we can help.

Prize Draw

For your chance to win Social Media Marketing All-in-One for Dummies by Jan Zimmerman simply send us an email detailing your name, business name and telephone number along with the names of the social networks that you use. Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday 30th September. The winner will be chosen at random on Friday 1st October.