Most of you will be well versed in the power and potential of social media, not only from a personal perspective, but also across the broad professional spectrum as a legitimate business tool. But how exactly do you nurture and harness that power?
To many, social media remains a mystery, with many businesses’ Twitter and Facebook accounts being updated only sporadically, and failing to demonstrate substantial growth or prove their worth. However, with the right knowledge and sufficient determination, you can make your social media work for you, generating contacts among your peers and opening the doors to your dream professional prospects.
The bottom line is that the same principles we apply everyday in business can be applied to developing your social media skills – so spread your social wings and take an informed leap into the present and future of networking.
if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you’ve got to stay ahead of the social game. Deliver the goods and the followers, as you might imagine, will follow.
Be A Social Leader
Just as you want your business to rule the pack, leading by example and setting the bar high – your social profile should also reflect this forward thinking. Look at the people you aspire to within your social space – these influential social users are at the top of their game, sharing interesting, relevant and timely content and insights to an audience who take them seriously and use them as a legitimate resource. If you want to command social authority like your peers, it’s time to declutter your accounts, get your profile looking sharp and informative and start posting regularly. Presenting as a true professional and testing the waters for what your audience wants to see on their news feed is an invaluable way to give your social accounts the shake-up they need.
Keep an Eye On the Competition
Any good business woman knows to keep a close eye on competing businesses. In today’s business world, it can be difficult enough just to stay on par with competitors, never mind finding ways to get ahead. The same can be said for social media – take a look at the people who do what you do, and the ones who do it better. Give an honest assessment of what makes their social accounts better than yours. Is it the content they’re sharing? The visuals? The frequency of their posts? Whatever the reason, if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you’ve got to stay ahead of the social game. Deliver the goods and the followers, as you might imagine, will follow.
If you hit the nail on the head with what you’re putting out, they’re going to like, favourite, retweet and even share it – and in social media currency, that kind of engagement will make you one wealthy businesswoman.
Flattery Will Get You Everywhere
When pitching to a client at work, everyone knows that, for the most part, they essentially want to hear you talk about them, just as everyone loves the sound of their own name. They want to see you demonstrate how much you know about who they are and what they do, presented back with a little sparkle. Just like business, social media is a notoriously egotistical place – but there’s much more to it than mere narcissism. By presenting back to someone what they already know about themselves, you’re demonstrating that you pay attention and that you’ve done your homework. So whether that’s giving your social prospects what they want, or romancing them a little by singing their praises and shouting about what they do, you can guarantee throwing some free online promotion their way will build valuable social bridges.
It’s All About the Trade Off
Just like business, social media is a two way street – if you want to get something, you’ve got to give something! Take time to nurture your contacts and put the work in, and you’ll see a bigger return on your social investments in the end. Offer value to your followers, whether that’s in the form of your expert advice, an offer or promotion, some insider tips or free content. If you hit the nail on the head with what you’re putting out, they’re going to like, favourite, retweet and even share it – and in social media currency, that kind of engagement will make you one wealthy businesswoman.
Author Bio
Tori Atkinson is a content creator for Win That Bid – the UK’s largest bid writing specialists, winning business through a targeted approach.
