Facebook has done it again – bringing their more than 750 million registered users another service. Group chat and one-on-one video chat are new services the social networking site will now offer.
A full story on this expansion, written by the Associated Press, can be found here.
What are your thoughts on the new chatting features?
The video pretty much speaks for itself…
Ok, I’m going to go ahead and say it – I love social media! I enjoy keeping up to date with friends and relatives on a daily basis with a simple tap on my iPhone screen. The 24/7 worldwide conversation that we can all take part in for free (monetarily speaking, time wise… not so much) makes me a happy girl. But social media is so much more than chit-chatting with friends or viewing your family Christmas photos from years past.
Today, social media is the driving force of our business world. Companies strive to create online presence in order to gain the support from virtual customers and it is pretty simple to understand why. Facebook alone generates an astounding 770 billion page views per month with over 200 million people accessing the site via a mobile device each day. Twitter follows suit with nearly 110 million tweets per day. Can you imagine how many people are touched daily by the messages available on the super speedway of social media?
Although these numbers sound outlandish, they are insanely true. As a small business yourself, you must strive to reach your niche of these staggering numbers. It is time to ask yourself, “what is my social media presence all about” and if you have yet to get yourself in line for the social media buzz – it is time to come aboard.
Years ago, when I heard of this fad (as I thought at the time) called Facebook, I decided to join the then college-only site to reconnect with friends I had lost touch with. Little did I realize the impact the site would have on my business relationships and daily activities just 8 years down the road.
Reading an article from the May issue of SUCCESS magazine this morning, I felt relief as my networking mindset was refreshed. As a young businesswoman, I will admit that I am a little nervous about my networking skills. Not necessarily as I’m standing amongst my peers and acquaintances in the business world, but after I’ve left their side – when I’m running back through the faces and names. I begin to think to myself, “did I network properly?”
It may seem silly to some, but as a recent (within the past five years) college graduate, these things can be an issue. In my schooling, I never had a “How To” class on networking (although I think that would’ve been one of the most beneficial lessons taught in my four years). What I use today are skills I’ve picked up along the way – mimicking other professionals in hopes of “fitting in”. But now, “fitting in” does not cut it for me. I’m ready to step out into the open space in the middle of the crowd and shout “I AM HERE!”
Networking today has grown into a combo buffet of face-to-face and online outlets allowing us the potential to stay local and grow globally. Bob Beaudine says it perfectly, “wouldn’t it be tremendous to find out that the one person you need to know to accomplish a goal or fulfill your dream turns out to be a friend of a friend on LinkedIn?” Of course it would and that is why social media is so important to your business, no matter the size. Building your online presence creates credibility to potential customers, colleges and community members.
Tools to Use:
Facebook.com – do you have a business page?
Twitter.com – be yourself! Chat about your community, your favorite things, share insights, but most of all maintain integrity. Use hashtags (#) to trend important topics in your field.
Twellow.com – the Yellowpages of Twitter
Search.Twitter.com – get in the conversation by seeing what others are chatting about.
Blog – build a blog to share information and thoughts about your market.
Key Tips:
+ Be courteous. This is a business relationship you are working to build or maintain.
+ Handwritten notes are still highly thought of. Use these for personal thank yous, follow ups, etc.
+ Listen. Nothing is worse than having the perfect opportunity pass you by because you were not able to take advantage of the situation.
+ Connect with people instead of dumping material on them. Networking is not the place to sell your services or products. Your focus should be on the relationship.
I’m no expert and would never claim to be, however, these simple steps and tools can help build your business in ways you would never imagine. Get into your local community and online world to share what you know and network with the best. You never know who you will meet and where they will take you.
