The Social Media Marketer

5 Ways To Create A Strong Social Media Presence

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Hello...is anybody out there?

Anybody?

Have you ever wondered if your hard work is going out into space without anybody ever seeing it? Unfortunately, you might be right. After all, there are a lot of websites out there, and a lot of places for people to turn their attention. If you don't let people know you're there, you may as well not even have a website.

Now, more than ever, it's time to set up social media connections and build a social media presence that will not only be a lot of fun for you, but include great (and inexpensive!) ways to get the word our about your endeavors.

If you're like most people or companies online these days, you've connected into Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn – in short, just about all the sites.

But are you using them to get the word out about your business?  Because everyone knows that all of these sites are a great deal of fun, until you get down to the hard work of actually using them.

Ultimately, Facebook is about more than linking back with those people who knew you back in the days of bad clothes and poor romance choices. Twitter is more than a place to follow the latest exploits of the Bronx Zoo cobra. And LinkedIn will help you meet with others in your profession, but have you ever considered using the site to post your site's updates as well?

So how do you use the social media sites to help build the social media presence your company needs?

1. Consider setting up two separate profiles on the social media sites. Take Facebook. Set up a personal profile as the place where you can chat with your high school buddies, your co-workers and your present-day friends without worrying about the impression it makes on your professional contacts.
   
   Conversely, if you set up a separate professional profile or fan page, you can make the contacts and links you need to expand your business, without annoying your friends in private life. It's easier to be more social with others when you divide your audiences.
2. Are you being a friend on Twitter, or just sending out links to your own websites and endeavors? Try adding some contacts through a search for people who share your profession or interests, and don't bombard them with your own personal items. And don't forget to retweet now and then.
3. Join groups on LinkedIn. Many people go on LinkedIn and put up their profiles in the hopes that other people will somehow discover them and their businesses. However, being discovered randomly is a very slim chance. But if you join discussion groups connected with our business, it will lead others to check out your website and content.
4. Try commenting on people's websites. Don't forget to include a signature that adds a link to your own website. Remember, commenting isn't about hurrying through blogs, but instead saying something of value.
5. Consider finding some blogs or websites related to your business and contact their owners with your ideas for guest posting an article. Guest posting isn't about advertising your own business, but it is about penning a great article that will make readers think and will generate interest in the person who wrote it. This could mean a nice jump in traffic for you own website.

After all, can your business really afford to not have a social media presence? You can't afford to be anti-social in today's market – getting the word out about your business will pay back in increased traffic. You can't reach your potential customers by remaining hidden.