How to Use Social Networking Sites to Market Yourself

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How to Use Social Networking Sites to Market Yourself

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How to Use Social Networking Sites to Market Yourself

Do you want ways to connect quickly with many people? Then social networking is for you!

Featured Author:

Ann M. Evanston

Ann M. Evanston is CEO of AME Institute and AME-zing Woman, organizations committed to developing great leaders worldwide. She specializes in teaching strategies of influence and buy-in. She is also the Executive Managing Director of eWomenNetwork, San Francisco and San Ramon. As an entrepreneur for more than 10 years, she understands what it take to create small business success, increase income to revenue, and work from home doing what you love.

Learn more about Ann here and add her to your WomenCo. network!

More articles from this author:

Do you need more exposure for your business? Do you want ways to connect quickly with many people? Then social networking is for you!

Many entrepreneurs, like myself, are on social network sites like Womenco.com. The opportunity to expose our business is there, but do we understand how to use it to grow?

Web 2.0 has greatly changed the face of business – it is simply amazing! What you want to realize is that trusted friends – online and offline – refer and do business faster and more efficiently than, say, advertising.

Here are my tips on using online social networking to increase your business:

1. Join sites that interest you, so you will have fun participating. Pick sites that will you a chance to showcase your expertise. Being a member on WomenCo. has allowed me to share my insights as an entrepreneurial woman which increases my business exposure.

2. When you sign up, make sure you are a REAL person! Don’t be “sxychk2008” or “businessmama.” Use your real name – NOT your company name because it feels like you are selling your business. After all, how can people do business with you if they cannot find you? As a small business owner, I need people to be able to get access to me easily – the harder I make it the less likely they are to do so. And your name should ALWAYS be search-engine optimized!

3. Actively participate by commenting on discussions and starting your own discussions. Be careful that you do not shove your business down everyone’s throat! A common mistake I see is someone joins the network then immediately posts a “discussion” about their business. Your profile is about what you do! When you can weave your expertise into a discussion, then you build your business credibility. Remember: you are there to be social first. Your business can grow because you “play” according to the site users’ interests!

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RedDahlia

2 days ago

34 comments

Thank you, this is helpful information!
PKRomans

12 days ago

2 comments

I truly believe in networking. Networking is more than just speaking with those whom you wish to share your ideas. Networking is also when sitting in a public place and how you conduct your manners, have you listened to what you are saying, what would the person at the next table think of you and your company? What kind of impression do you leave and most importantly what is the first impression you make. The other day I was at a local eatery, the woman who walked through the door was a most stunning business woman, so I thought, she was so rude from the get go to the hostess, to the server, and her attitude towards others in the community were coming right out of her mouth in public. Oh my, remember "Networking" exists everywhere you go, so please be kind to one another and remember what your mother said, "If it is not nice, do not say it." I know it came to bite that woman - she lost her job, the person at the next table was the CEO's girlfriend. Surprise!
AnnEvanston

16 days ago

66 comments

stgreg11 it is awful that something like that has happened to you - I too have been stalked. When it happened to me – there were no laws to help. It cannot stop me from growing my business, or I make no money. Please again remember this article is for women who have a business they need to grow. Your incident just like Kar23’s is a FACE-to-FACE example as well. The "possibility" of being hurt is always there. As a small business owner we need to create the “possibility” of greatness which always requires risk. Like anything, doing our homework is key. This site, who runs it, the company behind it, I would (and have) taken that risk – it has been good – for my business – which is the goal of this article. Are you starting your own business? Is it growing? If you are here just to play I stay anonymous, absolutely!
stgreg11

17 days ago

9 comments

I understand Kar's concerns since an anonymous man stalked me when I was in college. Ironically, I was dating a police officer at the time. I got these creepy phone calls and was afraid to be home alone. When I was pregnant with my son, a student made as many as 30 harassing phone calls per day to my house. Many of the phone calls were between midnight and 2 a. m. Because the student used a phone registered to a tenant in his building, the police could not arrest the student. I was upset by the actions of this kid because I respected him and he was a good student in my class. After this incident, I paid for an unlisted number and restricted the use of my phone number in the school directory. There are people who will use your personal information in a negative manner. In my former state, several girls were followed and then raped by sexual predators who had read their online profiles.
jo_islandgirl

19 days ago

29 comments

Ann, thank you for this article. I noticed, I have a few good things in my networking profiles but also need to make some changes in the way I present myself in my networking site. Thank you for this article . Really appreciate.
AnnEvanston

19 days ago

66 comments

Kar23, It will be VERY difficult for anyone to steal my identity from this site because I use my name, or any other that site I play on for that matter. Can they find my phone number, yes. My web site, yes. My email, yes. As a business woman, I want that, and am willing to risk some spammers to get to legitimately interested business people. Now if you are just here socially, that’s a different story, my articles are focused on the small business woman the entrepreneur who is trying to grow her business. LinkedIn, a site for employment networking is worth 1Billion $$ and if that worst case scenario was happening, that site would not be as successful as they are. So, what do? Again, do your homework. Research the sites that you choose to participate in. And when you get a call, be prepared with smart questions that help you field out of someone is “for real” or not. I used to work with young women 17-21 who were homeless, parenting and victims, if they wanted to start their own business, I would give the same advice. At some point they will have to “risk” being out there again, on many levels beyond this article, to grow that business yes. And I have now 5 clients that I have found through WomenCo! Them knowing how to find me was key!
kar23

20 days ago

19 comments

My concern with being a "real person" is safety and privacy. I used to work with victims of violence, although from a career perspective it is important to market "YOU" - it is also important to limit how much identifying and personal information is shared. Although we hope that only like-minded professionals are viewing our information, many sites cannot verify that "LookingtoHire" is really that prestigious head hunter, and not an identity theft or online predator. Many of my friends have said that I am over-sensative to this issue, but I have seen first-hand what the worst-case scenario could be. Any other thoughts on this Catch 22?
Megan357

20 days ago

2 comments

I just recently started a job that is all about network marketing, and its been a difficult transition! Thank you for this advice, I can't wait to share it with my teammates! :)
JobSearchCoach

21 days ago

8 comments

Great article, Ann. Very informative. You've give us lots to think about.
Ethel_Millie

25 days ago

11 comments

great advices thanks..
aspiring2begreat

26 days ago

3 comments

I appreciate the advice. I am also new to this social networking thing. Thank you.
stephanie_rbrts1

27 days ago

2 comments

I am new to social networking, so thanks for the tips.
castelc

29 days ago

13 comments

I totally agree with Ann. Social networking online is becoming very popular. Another great site for social/career networking is LinkedIn. I am on that site! Come and join me! Connie
Moya

about 1 month ago

1 comment

Very enlightening article as i realize that solution is what people need and not just a technological fixes.
ChrisMar

about 1 month ago

25 comments

This is super advice Ann--being new to social networking online I can see that I've done a few things right!