A few weeks back I was on Biznik, writing compliments for people I do business with. I was really surprised to notice that almost every single person I wrote a compliment for only had one compliment or none at all. When I started looking at other Biznik profiles, I realized that the majority of the ones I saw didn't have a compliment or only had one. It puzzled me, and it also told me that likely what was happening is that people didn't realize they could compliment other people, or they didn't see the practicality in doing it.
To make any social media site really work for you, it's important to understand all of its features and optimize your use of those features. It's not enough to simply fill out a profile or share status updates. In fact sometimes I'll see profiles that aren't fully filled out, which makes them ineffective. The following tips can help you optimize your social media presence on a given site, and they don't take much time to do.
1. When you first get on a site, fill out your profile as completely as possible. Don't skimp on the details. Fill out what you do, what skills you have, what clients you are looking for and any other information that will help visitors to your profile understand your value and your skills. Make sure you also upload a picture of yourself, so people can see who you are.
2. Learn all the features of a social media site. When you first join, don't just fill out your profile. Explore the site. Get curious about what everything does and participate in some discussions. Do this on day one and you'll set yourself up for success because you'll get actively involved with the community on the site.
3. If you can recommend people on a site, make time to do it. Biznik has a compliment feature that allows you to compliment people in your network, even as Linkedin allows you to write recommendations. Use this feature. It's a great way to show people in your network that you appreciate them and it also helps you remind them of you, which is another way to be more visible to them.
4. Connect your blog and other social media to your profiles. Think of your profile page as a landing page. It not only tells people what you do, but can also be used to direct them to other sites they can visit. At the same time, it can help you build your search engine optimization for your website or blog, as well as the profile itself, since the links you put in your profile create backlinks, which tell Google and other search engines that the profile page is related to your website.
5. If you can create a video profile do so. Video is the next big medium in social media. Creating a video profile can go a long way toward showing people who you are and what you do, as opposed to just telling them. Remember people respond better to what you can show them, and a video profile will show your passion and interest in the services you provide, and the problems you solve.
6. Create a group and participate in other groups. The ability to create your own groups provides you an opportunity to put your brand in front of people who have joined the group, while also establishing you as the expert. Additionally it's a great way to answer questions and share ideas. Participating in other groups can also be useful in terms of getting answers to your questions, or answering questions for other people.
7. Participate in the question and answer forums. On different sites there are question and answer forums, outside of the groups. Take five minutes and browse the latest questions and answer one or two. It will give you exposure to other people outside of your network and also help you to continue establishing your reputation as an expert.
8. Make the effort to respond. If someone responds to an article or a post you made, make a reply. And if you see some news someone else shared, comment on that. Remember that social media is about building relationships, which means you need to make an effort to respond to other people, as well as reply to what they've said to you.
To benefit from having a social media presence, you need to spend time building that presence, which means learning to use all the features of any site you are on. Merely setting up a profile, without doing anything else, isn't effective and ultimately tells people you don't care and don't want to engage. If you are going to be on a social media site, use all of the features, build relationships, and participate in the community. When you do that, you'll be able to market your business more effectively and start to get a return on the time and effort you've put into the site.
Learn more about the author, Taylor Ellwood.
Thanx for the well organized check list! I am delighted to have a reminder to glance at now & again so I have bookmarked your article and copied it for my wall. I have to admit it is turning out to be worthwhile to followup on my social networking followers ... Dawn Renee Mallory
www.autograf.com ... please send me your flaky friends!!!
Hi Dawn,
It always is a good idea to follow up. Optimizing your presence pays off.
Taylor Ellwood http://www.imagineyourreality.com
Great article. I have joined many social media sites lately, including this great one, and I am trying to balance it all. I like your focus on the basics--engage the ones you joing. Perhaps I would have been well-served to have read this article a couple of weeks ago!! Thanks again.
Hi Collin,
I think it's important to figure out what the time commitment is for any of the social media sites, so that you can balance them. Even with good strategies for how you use those sites, you still need to fit in time to be on them.
Taylor Ellwood http://www.imagineyourreality.com http://www.twitter.com/teriel
Great post Taylor. It is always good to have a reminder of what the goal was when you originally get on social media sites!
Hi Gina,
Thank you very much. I do think its important to keep the purpose of a social media site in mind...keeps you focused on participating mindfully.
Taylor Ellwood http://www.imagineyourreality.com http://www.twitter.com/teriel
Your article has inspired me to set some time aside on a weekly basis to do some social networking. Calendaring it in will be key to me doing it. Thanks!
Hi Brenda,
I'm glad my article has helped inspire you!
Taylor Ellwood http://www.imagineyourreality.com http://www.twitter.com/teriel
Thanks for a fab article. I just sent you a Biznik compliment. You share so much useful info with all of us - you are very gracious. Thank you Taylor.
Hi Chrystal,
Thank you so much! I'm glad the article is helpful.
Taylor
Great tips for a newbie like me, thanks!
What a great reminder, Taylor. I have always recognized the importance of a simple thank you but forget to say thank you on line. Thank you, again, Taylor. Have a great day!
Taylor, thanks for some great ideas and thought-provoking suggestions. I do wonder how to manage the time of all of this? It seems a bit overwhelming. Overall, though, your comments were really helpful and now I know I can compliment someone on Biznik!
Thank you, great article and very helpful!
Thank you for your article, Taylor - I have also bookmarked it for future reference.
Hey Taylor, Thanks for the clear article!
May I link to this article from the new Seattle Yoga Social Site @ http://YogaBlaze.ning.com?
It might be a helpful reminder from someone who 'knows'.
Soleil*
Thanks Taylor for reminding me of what I need to do. I am in a similar situation as everyone - being that we belong to so many social networking sites that we often neglect using them to their fullest potential. I am guilty of exactly what I warn my clients of - be selective in what you join and be sure to use each site to its maximum advantage. I am going to heed your great advice and get moving :) BTW - I didnt' know about the compliment feature on Biznik until I received one - proof of my not doing my homework....
Hi James,
Glad the article was helpful.
Hi Carol,
Glad this inspired you with that!
Hi Tiia,
As you develop strategies for each site, it becomes easier to manage your time on them.
Hi Rumanny and Chris,
Thank you both. Glad the article has been helpful.
Hi Soleil,
Please do feel free to link to it and share it with others.
Hi Julie,
Glad this article was helpful. I think it is too easy to get involved in lots of sites, without getting focused on using them effectively.
Taylor Ellwood http://www.imagineyourreality.com http://www.twitter.com/teriel
Thanks Taylor.
I've put a link to the article on the bottom of this page: http://yogablaze.ning.com/page/welcome-1
Simple basics always lay a strong foundation. Thanks Taylor!
Thanks Taylor, Your article is a good reminder that if we took the time to set up an account on a social media site, then we should also take the time to use it to the fullest of its ability. My problem is that I had created many social networking profiles and have yet had enough time to spend on them all. It is a daunting task, so I guess I need to get moving.
Hi Susan,
Glad you liked the article. I agree strong basics lay the foundation and make it easier to use the more advanced options as well.
Hi John,
I find it's best to limit how many social media accounts your on. I generally recommend 3 to 4, because you only have so much time and need to leverage your time on those sites effectively.
Taylor Ellwood http://www.imagineyourreality.com http://www.twitter.com/teriel
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