What is Social Media? How can it help my business? Is it really that important?
These are some very common questions one might ask when looking to expand their newly founded, or even long standing business, particularly in the online market.
It's no secret that the internet, as well as mobile technology is rapidly evolving and becoming a staple within our society. It is used for everything from sales and advertisement, to posting videos of your dog chasing his own tail. Mobile technology has taken this a step further, giving nearly everyone in the world access to the internet, at a moments notice, anywhere they go. These things all factor together, giving the internet its true source of power. People and the social sites and media that drive it.
In this article we will take a step back to understand exactly what social media is, and how it can have great impacts on your business and home life. Understanding how social media works, and how to use it to your advantage is quickly becoming an essential skill to stay on top of today's markets in any industry. Properly setting up and maintaining your presence online is not just trendsetting, its required!
Social media is a combination of many sites and outlets, but the overall structure to any "Social Media" site is an ability to communicate and share with other people around the world. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs, Forums, and other places where direct interactions between people occur are the core group of this valuable online tool. They allow something the marketing industry could only dream of 20 years ago. Limitless and Widespread FREE marketing!
As we move forward in the technologies of our day, the availability and use of the internet will continue to grow. Even things like cable television may soon become outdated due to the availibilty of smart TV's and internet programming. The internet is one of a kind, in that everyone on the planet can have access to one universal streamline of data, connections and information. If you think about it, who do you know that is aware of the internet, and has browsed it at some point or another, if not daily?
With that knowledge, we can begin to understand how interconnected internet resources can be to someone who is looking to promote or market their name or brand to the world. Here is this never ending stream of connections, which is freely accessed by anyone. In the past the only outlets for exposure were television, magazines, newspapers, radio, events, and other complicated and time consuming tactics. Now with the internet we suddenly have the ability to reach BILLIONS of people, with a simple post we can make in under 30 seconds!??
The downside to how rapidly the internet has grown, and become so embedded in our daily lives, is that many people have simply not recognized the true potential it offers. Many people use the internet only for entertainment, failing to see the value of the tool in their hands. How many of you have a facebook, twitter, youtube, or other social account? Now how many of you have properly used that resource to improve your life or financial standings? To pursue a dream or passion?
Your online presence represents you more than you might think! Try a simple exercise, do a google search for your name, or your online username or handles you use. See how quickly you are able to actually find all of YOUR content without having to deeply search or go more than a page or two into the search.
Notice anything?? Not only is it hard to find YOUR accounts and media, more than likely what you do find won't portray the image of yourself that you wish for the world to see. This is what a new client or contact might see if he/she were to go home and google your name after a meeting or potential business or job connection. This is what MANY employers are beginning to do during the hiring process. They search social media to get an idea of who you are, even if its not properly represented.
In the following articles and newsletters, i will teach you about setting up your accounts and optimizing them so that anyone looking for you, or your company will find not only vast information, but POSITIVE information! We will discuss how to set up and use your accounts to gain more traffic online, as well as growing your connections to others in your industries and marketing YOURSELF free of cost. We will also discuss your public appearance through social media, how to improve it and searches for your name and company. These skills are necessary for your own personal improvements as well as your financial career, so don't miss out!
