As a woman entrepreneur building up your company, you should never underestimate the importance of having a strong group of networks. Building up a company takes time. Building up a strong group of network also takes time -- valuable time which you should use to your fullest.
Utilizing social networking sites has proven for many to be a successful way to grow their business.
If you think it's only for computer pros to be successful in this social networking world, well think again.
Do you find it easy to use e-mail? Or surf the internet? Joining a successful networking site is just as easy and an interesting way to expand your business.
10 Steps for growing your business by using a social networking site, take a look at these points, write down your answers and you can TAKE-OFF!
- Who is your audience? Who are you talking to? Who is your niche?
To link with millions of business people, join LinkedIn. If you want to connect with old friends and receive online hugs, then you should join Facebook. If your audience is other women entrepreneurs, both national as well as international connections, then set up an account on Connected-Women.com. - Ask around for a networking site that's easy to use. Get referrals from other business women or women business associations. Test them -- some of them do offer free basic registration.
- It's important that you get good exposure on the search engines through the social networking site. Google your name about a week after joining a new site and check out where you rank. The higher your name ranks on the search engines, the more you should focus on that site to help your business grow.
When setting up your profile on the site, write down the following: - What are your message points? What message would you like to come across on that site? Write down your mini-communication plan for your profile.
- What do you offer? Be bold, think BIG! This is your opportunity to describe you as you want to let other people to see you!
- What are you looking for? Be transparent with your wishes; write down in your text what you are looking for. Are you looking at national or international contacts? Both? Which field?
- Allocate your time. How much time PR time each week are you willing to use by utilizing this marketing strategy. 15 minutes per day? Or per week?
- Set your goals per week/month/year. Have a measureable goal. How many contacts are you looking for? In other words; what would you like to gain out of your participation? What difference would it make if you achieve your goal?
- Stay focused! Once you have all the points above written down, read your points every week and add new visions as they come.
- REMEMBER! The more you put in - the more you can take out!
This is a bit like buying a membership card in the gym. The card alone will not turn you into 36-24-36, and the same goes for social networking.
Use the time frame you've allocated for your internet marketing by participating on their forums.
Ask and questions and give recommendations/referrals to others.
All of this will give you more visibility, more hits on your web site, more interest in your products and services, and in the end, inevitably MORE BUSINESS!
Author:
Runa Magnusdottir, ACC Executive Coach from ICF, is an entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in international business as an importer and distributor.
Runa is the founder and CEO of Connected-Women.com a global social search and networking site for professional women used by organizations of women entrepreneurs worldwide.