Social Networking Tips

Social Networking Tips Brittany Paxman: Hi, I’m Britney Paxman I’m here with Lauren Perdue a natural search specialist here at Apogee Search. Today, Lauren is going to discuss social networking and how businesses can use this to improve their online presence. So Lauren what is social networking? Lauren Perdue: Well social networking involves websites like Facebook and MySpace the opportunity that offer opportunities to connect with friends and meet new people and share photos and events. Brittany Paxman: So we have the terms at social media and social networking through in a ladder like. Can you do any video difference between the two terms? Lauren Perdue: Well, social media is really self published news and news and articles and media with the community aspect. It’s open to commenters, it’s open to public interaction and public discussion and social networks involved social media. Facebook offers you opportunities to publish your photos and to write notes and MySpace offers bulletins and stuffs like that but you know social media websites like Flickr and Twitter are less about social networking. They do have a friend aspect to build in but it’s secondary. So they are different. Brittany Paxman: So we’ve seen that social media and social networks can be good for individuals. To businesses consider using them? Lauren Perdue: Businesses should consider social networking to build word of mouth in the sensitive community. They’re really good for both businesses especially and the businesses that already have sort of a devoted fan base because then that will be rolled back exponentially. It’s also an opportunity to get feedback and get product reviews and it’s inexpensive and really good for you if you do in house to set up. Brittany Paxman: Are there any risk involve to businesses to pursue social networking? Lauren Perdue: Definitely. There’s definitely a risk that if you have maybe some skeletons in your businesses class and you want to do Wikipedia page which Wikipedia is an example of social media because of the participation aspect. It is likely and something that you should consider that those are going to be aired. You are opening your self up to criticism when you ask for reviews, when you ask for participation and feedback that is a concern. So your business, you need to be prepared for that and not all social networks are created equal I mean the dry cleaners should be on Twitter and they don’t have anything they consistently update but they should be on Facebook pages and have that opportunity to list their occasions and there are hours that they are open and to get feedback from their users and staff like that but also in our gallery shouldn’t be on Flickr because who’s going to take pictures of art. You have to be very aware of the needs that participating in that social network involved, the maintenance involved and the time commitment that you’re making when your purchase feed in the social network. But the benefits are to have the direct line of communication to your consumers and to your buddy online that’s really unparalleled. Brittany Paxman: So they start in situation that businesses should or should not pursue social networking? Lauren Perdue: I think there’s a social network or social media outlet out there that’s good for everyone and I think that it’s really about what time can you commit to this and how willing are you to maintain it? For example, if you’re willing to contribute a little bit of time each day then Twitter is probably a better social media outlet for you. However, if you really are, you have more to say and you’re looking for some people a little more elegant I would go with the blog. If you have some events at your business we have a financial institution that we work with and it does concerts in their branch and they are on Flickr because they have legitimate event photos, event videos that people are interested and they can share. But Facebook pages are too easy to set up and to maintain and to have out there to not consider it. Brittany Paxman: Okay so maybe we can conclude with some tips and takeaways that our viewers can actually use to begin in opening social networking. Lauren Perdue: My main takeaway is maintenance. If you don’t maintain your Twitter, if you don’t maintain your blog people get disinterested and they de-follow you. They’re not going to go back unless you have a really exciting value proposition they have now reason to participate in your social network unless you’re giving them something that they want or need or it’s interesting or it’s interactive but mainly maintenance is a huge part of participation in social media and social networks and also social media is fun and shouldn’t be a burden. I’m not going to say that it’s not a big deal but at the same time there’s a certain tone that you need to maintain. You know you can’t make to stop for your Facebook and you can have a corporate tone on your blog but Twitter is 140 characters. It’s off the calf and so that’s another aspect to consider when you’re choosing your social network to participate in is what am I going to say. So it’s a little about maintenance and it’s all about that corporate presence and not taking it entirely too seriously. Brittany Paxman: Okay this is some really great tips thank you. Lauren Perdue: Thank you. Brittany Paxman: So for more information on social media and social networking you can visit our website at Apogee-Search.com. Thanks for watching.