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What is social media? Simplest definition? Sharing of info online. Web used to be place where we find info. Now we are also info providers. Do you personally or your company have a blog? Use Twitter? Do you use Facebook socially? Professionally? LinkedIn account?

My job is to jump start you into social media. I understand your primary concern is how to promote your business. I strongly suggest that before you jump your business into social media, you use it personally. Sign up. And pay attention. You will quickly see things other do that you think is a good idea. And things you think are not such good ideas.

Experiment. Make mistakes. I cannot give you a specific how to guide book to social media because everyone’s situation is different. So, experiment. Make mistakes.

Social media is an opportunity to interact. It is not another venue for 1 way marketing. If you leave with nothing else today, I hope you leave thinking of social media as a means of further developing existing relationships and developing new relationships. Current clients, potential clients, partners, vendors, etc.

This goes back to what I suggested at the beginning. Use social media yourself. All of us would rather do business with real people than faceless companies. This goes back to the relationship building. When you go into a meeting do you jump right into business? What usually happens first? How’s the family? Did you see the game Saturday? Personal stuff. Social media helps us make those bonds and connections.

If your online persona is always perfect or always pushing your product, the number of those who are listening to you will decline swiftly.

Don’t use social media just to use social media. Decide why you are using it. Define a purpose.

Your social media activity should not be independent of all your other outreach and marketing plans. Integrate them.

Options for getting your business into social media. Create a complete strategy (with goals). Define a specific project (with goals). Maybe figure out the goals after you begin watching and listening. Do lots of reading – or hire someone to help.

The Ohio Farm Bureau hired a social media director. They are everywhere. And they created a social media guide for their members. They’ve pulled me in once when they were overwhelmed but for the most part, they are self-sufficient.

No staff. They opted to train their volunteers on the use of social media. We started with Facebook so as to no overwhelm. Saw immediate success in one volunteer recruiting new golfers and volunteers for a golf fundraiser.

MORPC is choosing to have outside guidance (Shinydoor) that includes training current staff. I highly recommend this strategy because nobody knows your business like you and your staff.

Your social media activity should not be independent of all your other outreach and marketing plans. Integrate them.