Network

Facebook has more than one billion users. If your business uses Facebook correctly, it’s well worth your efforts. While there are no definitive rules about how to use Facebook for business, it’s clear that new business not is generated by routine Facebook updates. Here’s some advice for generating new business, dialogue, and involvement through your Facebook business page:

Timing is everything. It’s not that hard to determine the best time of day to post on Facebook for maximum exposure. Post at regular intervals for several days and determine the times of day when you get the most likes or comments in response.

Offer “awesome” content. Your Facebook friends and followers won’t tolerate dull, boring, or excessively promotional posts. Instead, you need to offer awesome content: useful information or humorous images that your audience will like and share. Providing awesome content that your audience uses and shares both extends your network and makes business users more apt to connect with you.

Post pictures. Post significant, appealing pictures with your updates. Newsworthy items are likely to be shared; so are funny pictures with humorous or sarcastic remarks. You should quickly learn what kinds of posts generate the most interest, likes, and shares from your particular Facebook audience.

Post the right cover photo. Every update or comment displays your cover photo, so make it right. Determine precisely what cover photo will make the best impression for your business. Keep it simple. If you’re not that creative, a graphic artist or graphic designer can probably come up with something just right.

Pay attention to feedback. If you are launching new products, product lines, or services, or if you’re making adjustments to existing products or services, solicit feedback from your Facebook audience. If you ask for comments and combine awesome content with great pictures and good timing, you’ll expand your audience and get feedback you’ll use and appreciate.

Twitter has been called a social network, a social search engine, and a “microblogging” site. Put simply, Twitter is a website where people share whatever they’re thinking about, so Twitter can be advantageous and lucrative for your business. Before you can use Twitter profitably, you’ll have to establish a core of followers. One way to gain Twitter followers is by offering promotions and specials. Give away prizes or give away discounts on your own services or products.

As you gain more experience with Twitter, you’ll find fresh and creative ways to draw attention to your brand using hashtags and catch phrases. Always recognize your winners with a special tweet. When you gain followers on Twitter, your updates are sent to them directly, so as more people follow you, more people see your content.

To “retweet” means to repost a tweet from another user. Twitter is the easiest of the social media platforms for sharing updates and posts from others. All it takes is a simple “retweet” and the post has been shared. “Retweeting” tells the original “tweeter” that you welcome their posts, and it lets you share good content with your followers. Make sure to blend in retweets with plenty of your original tweets. Make them laugh or make them think, but don’t tweet for no reason at all. Have something of value to post.

Another advantage of Twitter is that it gives you the ability to “listen” to what others are saying about your industry and about you. It’s also the perfect spot for people to ask questions and get answers fast. Look for questions where you can provide the definitive answers, and ask questions that make others think about your products, services, and industry. Become the expert that others rely on for answers. As you gain experience on Twitter, you’ll discover and even create new ways and ideas for promoting your business and brand.

All the important CEO’s use it, and you should too. LinkedIn is an essential resource for small businesses that seek to grow relationships and new business. Like Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn begins with your profile: make it strong. Once establishing your profile, you can search for connections, add to group discussions, and keep abreast the latest news from your contacts. LinkedIn also offers ways to showcase your business and your business skills in a tasteful, professional style.

Your LinkedIn profile picture needs to be a top-quality, professional headshot. The file name should include your own name (i.e., JaneDoe.jpg) so that it can be found more easily in search engines. Complete every field using strong keywords pertinent to your industry and community. This helps optimize your profile and thus helps you rank above your competition on the search engines. Your LinkedIn profile is a personal expression, so be certain the text is correct grammatically and the look is professional and tasteful. Edit regularly; be sure your education, certifications, designations, and awards are updated. Make your headline dynamic, interesting, and distinctive; your personality and energy should leap off the page.

Don’t connect with random people you don’t know; this could make you look like a spammer. Instead, connect with real-life friends, family, acquaintances, customers, and others who can testify for you. You can usually find these connections by using LinkedIn’s search bar (at the top of any LinkedIn page after you log in). You gain connections on LinkedIn through referrals and recommendations, and you can gain more connections by taking advantage of all that LinkedIn offers. Join LinkedIn’s groups and communities, share, ask and answer questions, and become the person others rely on for right answers, the “go-to” expert in your industry.

Regularly add fresh content: events, links, press releases, recommendations, and more. Ask and answer questions frequently, and participate in discussions; you’ll build trust and credibility among other LinkedIn members, and you’ll keep your name and business in front of their eyes. Contributing just the right content can help you be perceived as an expert in your field. Don’t forget to rewrite a full profile update two or three times a year, just to make sure everything is fresh and up-to-date.