Going To The Picnic
Those of you who are considering using social media for your small business have a great adventure in store. But there is something very important to understand about social media before you begin.
The purpose of social media is to make connections between people – hence the word social. Social media is people talking to each other, and through this talk, creating friendships and communities.
Twitter and Facebook were not created with business in mind. Although both sites have evolved into places where businesses can operate, the essence of social media – connections and community – has not changed, and applies to business as well.
When you use social media for business, think of it as coming to a picnic or gathering of your friends. When you come to the gathering with just the idea of promoting your business, you will not be happily received. If you are not careful, this promotion can be seen as rude or annoying.
What you need to do instead is attend the gathering, enjoy it, talk to people, and eventually what you have to offer will come out as a natural part of the conversation.
At that point what you are offering will be either accepted, or, at worse, ignored (depending on whether the person you are speaking to needs or wants your product).
At best, people will get excited about it and begin to talk about it with each other, and with you, during and after the gathering. This is your goal when you enter the social media world.
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