Work From Home Opportunities

As any successful business owner can tell you being successful is all about building relationships with your customers. This article speaks to the value of social networking sites as relationship builders which, if managed correctly, have the potential to bring in more business.

For the past few days I have been working on obtaining testimonials for several of my clients who we are helping to create new websites. In the process of interviewing the customer’s client- I ask a series of questions which help me in outlining my client’s brand. One question I ask is “why did you choose this company.” In many cases, what I find, is that the company is already known to the client either because they frequently see the company office, or have a family member or friends that has done business with them.  “Word of mouth” is the easiest way to get new business as a relationship of trust has been established via a third party’s experience with the company.

Because most businesses cannot rely solely on word of mouth to generate all their business they try other means of building a relationship such as direct mail, advertisements, radio, and television to name a few.

Increasingly, the internet is becoming a primary means to begin to build a relationship with customers and to target market segments. So how can one establish trust over the internet, which, to many, seems so impersonal and lacking the one-on-one contact that is associated with building a trusting relationship? The answer is simple- just as email usage has grown as a means of communication-social networking sites such as Linkedin and Twitter are being used as tools to share information, share resources, assess consumer needs, to network, and to establish collaborative business relationships. This is not just a local phenomenon- this is happening worldwide. Currently, I am regularly communicating with people in 8 countries and I have not even begun to use all of the available social networking tools.

Although I use these sites primarily for business-there is great value in using the sites to locate old friends, schoolmates, and colleagues. However, in these instances, I use my email or phone to communicate and do not use a public venue to exchange personal information, as I feel it detracts from the community user experience with these public forums.  I have heard many online users talking about using proper “netiquette” related to these sites and the consensus is that you should treat the online community communication experience the same as you would in your personal and professional life, e.g. no advertising, spamming, stalking, rude behavior, etc.

In summary, I do not approach social networking sites as a way to socialize or make friends. Just as in “real life” this may happen over time with people you regularly communicate with and have much in common. I keep my online presence cordial and professional and all of the social networking sites to which I am a member have the same professional photo of me, and company information. I do not use my blog, Facebook, Twitter or other sites to tell people what I am doing at the moment as some do. I post links to my articles, offer and ask for advice, link to other’s articles, to interesting technology tools, and marketing resources.  It is my belief that one’s online identity can complement and even enhance their face-to-face relationships if one makes a concerted effort to give as well as to receive.  As in real life, by taking the time to grow your social networks, business contacts, and by regularly communicating with potential customers to assess their needs- you will have a greater chance of growing your business.

Wayne Kessler is President of Accelerated Business Services, a Massachusetts based, full service, marketing consulting, business coaching, and counseling firm specializing in internet marketing, website development, purchase and usage of electronic devices, and using social and business networking tools to grow their business.

Especially in a volatile economy, whether you are looking for your next client or a new job, it’s not what you know but who you know that makes the difference. I got my last client through a recent referral. Although what I knew mattered, who I knew had a much greater impact.

Online social networks provide an easy way to build a community of trusted contacts. The backbone of social interaction on these sites is based on individual profiles that you compile, including your interests, capabilities, and a list of contacts with which you share connections.

So in establishing your online network, go with those you know. Reach out to clients, colleagues in your industry, former classmates and coworkers. Knowing your contacts makes it easier to leverage your network and ask specific contacts for advice or for tips on how to get your foot in a new door.

Since these people know you, they are more likely to provide a reference or to understand if an opportunity they know of may be a good match for your qualifications. Whether you have an account on Facebook or LinkedIn, it’s a good idea to manage your social network accounts strategically. Here are ten tips to help you showcase your strengths and maximize your professional visibility:

• Compose your profile with a professional focus in mind; include past companies you have worked for or businesses you have owned, your education, and any professional affiliations. Doing so will expand your opportunities and ability to connect with others.
• Don’t post anything online that you are not comfortable exposing to the public. If your profile is public, everything you post is fair game.
• Add keyword-rich descriptions to your profile, so it can be found by search engines.
• Build your network continuously by connecting with others. More connections potentially mean more opportunities.
• Leverage your expertise by listing helpful tips or advice. By doing this you will demonstrate the value you can provide to others.
• Give and get recommendations. Third party accounts carry a lot of weight and are instrumental in a viewer’s decision process.
• Only connect with those you know and trust. These are the folks who are best able to recommend your products or services and you are a good candidate to reciprocate on their behalf.
• Include links to your website and blog. These links add more depth and interest to your profile.
• Add a slide presentation to your profile using Slideshare, Google Presentations or a similar application. Use the presentation creatively to highlight an upcoming event or recent accomplishments.
• Join groups, participate in discussions, and ask/answer questions. Doing these things will assist your online community in understanding who you are and the value you can bring to the table.

There are numerous social networking sites to choose from. However LinkedIn is the standard in terms of professional online networking. Many companies actively recruit employment candidates from LinkedIn, including Microsoft, Ebay, and Target.

Pam May is a strategic copywriter offering executive bios, case studies, white papers, and company histories: get the results you want and deserve from your marketing pursuits or media campaigns.

www.techscibecommunications.com