Social Media Small Business Trainer


Are you using social media marketing for your small business? More and more people are these days, but when it comes to figuring out what trends are important, what’s next and how to begin, you’ll need expert help. Enter this roundup from a variety of news and information sources that will take you into the world of social media and teach you how to use this vital tool for the benefit of your business.

Basics

Seven things you can’t do with social media. Today’s roundup will look again at the possibilities social media offers your small business, but first let’s look at what social media can’t do. Though social media has many uses, there are some definite exceptions. Think of the social space as a new medium for your business with its own langauge. Learning how to use that language, and how not to use it will make you a better social media user. Money Dummy

Better way to schedule Tweets. It’s a huge networking tool, but let’s face it. Keeping up with Twitter networking can be a huge drain on time. And spreading out your tweets to hit your followers at the best time of the day can be a challenge. Unless you want to spend all of your time stuck on your lap top or squinting at your smartphone, here’s a new way to set your Tweets and live your life. New Biz Blogger

Success Stories

Even some of the world’s biggest social media sites started small. Take LinkedIn now valued at $10 billion and relied upon by many small business people to connect them and build and sustain their networks everyday. In this interview, founder Reid Hoffman talks about founding the social media giant literally in his living room. Will the next social media giant start as a small business too? WSJ

How face to face social skills can boost social media savvy. If you are one of those cultural worriers who thinks social media is robbing our world of genuine face to face interaction, think again. This entrepreneur success story may convince you of the importance of low-tech social skills even in a high tech social world. In the end, both will be helpful in your small business. Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Tips

Your social media safety guide. Social media sites like Facebook are a tremendous tool, but like any other work environment, safety is one of the most important considerations. Facebook and other social media outlets have many distraction…and some real dangers. To keep your productivity high and your small business safe while working in social media marketing, learn more about these risks and other potential social media concerns. Just Ask Kim

Bad link building strategies. Building links is widely regarded as a key strategy in blogging today and can be an important method of building community, increasing traffic and eventually boosting referrals. Unfortunately, not all link building strategies are created equally. Here are seven in particular you will want to avoid at all costs. New Biz Blogger

Research

Studying social sharing among your customers. When considering social media channels to reach your customers, is e-mail on your list of possible options? Maybe it should be. In a recent report on how consumers interact and share content online, e-mail came in first, followed by social networks and then blogs. All social channels have their value, but are you building your strategy with the channels your customers use most? eMarketer

Keeping your eye on social media. Social media is becoming huge, but keeping track of your progress and collecting data doesn’t need to be a hassle. Plenty of tools exist to track your stats in the social media space. Here are 14 that deserve your special attention. Abnormal Marketing

Trends

Are your customers brand ambassadors? There is an incredible power in having your most satisfied and enthusiastic clients and customers talk to others about how much they love your products or services. But like with any other technique, there is a downside too. It’s easier than ever before to turn customers into advocates for a business they love, and social media has enhanced this process dramatically. But it’s just as easy for a disatisfied customer to spread the word, so be prepared. Social Media Examiner

Social media and e-commerce. It may be a match made in heaven. Online retailers are taking the next logical step in beginning to sell directly from social media sites. The concept is called “social commerce” and whether it becomes a staple of online marketing remains to be seen. How do you integrate your social media with e-commerce or sales? Leave your comment below. WSJ

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  1. Great resource post. “LinkedIn now valued at $10 billion and relied upon by many small business people to connect them and build and sustain their networks everyday” I have been using LinkedIn for about five years and there recent IPO was no big surprise… they are huge. LinkedIn has completely changed the way my peers are doing their hiring now, and I am on that site daily.