by Katy Tafoya, Ladies Who Launch member, Los Angeles
Is It Social Media? Social Networking? Web 2.0?
Don’t let the buzz words fool you. For the most part, social media, social networking, and Web 2.0 are all pretty much the same thing: user-generated content. Any time the content of a Web site is created by a person and not a program, it’s considered user-generated. This can include blogs, online communities, e-zines and articles, networking organizations (including your profile), podcasts and Internet radio, videos and Internet TV channels, and bookmarking sites.
Why Do People Participate in Social Networking?
Aside from helping to expand your actual network, many people get involved in social networking to become part of a community. Like the word implies, being a “solopreneur” can often be lonely work. Networking, whether face-to-face or online, can be fun and easy. It may turn out to be just the five- or 10-minute break you need in your day.
A Sales and Marketing Team?
Solopreneur businesswomen are often left to do it all by themselves. While this can oftentimes feel a bit overwhelming, it can be manageable. It helps if you think of social networking as being your sales and marketing team at work. This is how you get your message, your business, and your product out there to the public.
How Can Social Networking Help My Business?
- Helps to increase your search engine relevance
- It’s an easy and natural way to get your name out there
- Lets you share your knowledge in your area of expertise
- Helps expand your contact base and your business referral network
- Allows you and your business to be accessible
- Can act as a customer relation tool for your service and products
- You can advertise directly to your target audience
- Lets you expand your network both nationally and internationally
