Duke of URLCarl V. Natale is an avid fan of small business in Maine. He uses this blog to share useful advice and tips each day. And you can learn more by following @MaineBusiness on Twitter.
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Put down the Twitter and no one gets hurt
Mar 16, 2009 07:38 AM
Not every business owner should star in a broadcast commercial. Some people just don't have the charisma it takes to appear on TV or radio. But that Crazy Eddie - he was born for TV and slashing prices. That's crazy.
Perhaps it's just as crazy to force every business owner into social media. Think about it. There is a certain type of charisma involved. Some people are intimidated by public conversations. And they're going to find any excuse to not use the hot social medium du jour.
Which is a bit counterintuitive. Because small business owners need to be the company's top sales rep and spokesperson. They are the face and voice of the business. So they need to project those roles to a virtual space. Maybe it's the tech or fear of something new that is the problem. But there are steps - baby steps - to becoming involved in social media.
Start commenting. Find a blog you like and start leaving comments using your name. Don't worry about being profound. Write something. Keep it short. When you become comfortable with that blogger, try commenting on more blogs. Don't pitch your business. Just talk.
Try forums. Start out commenting again. When you have a feel for the environment, start a thread. Get comfortable with carrying out a conversation that way. Again, this isn't an opportunity to pitch your business. You're having polite conversation.
Now blog. It's not such a big step now. Create your own domain (preferred) or try a network (MaineBusiness.com would be a perfect fit). Write about your industry or day in the life of your business. Remember, this isn't a pitch. Keep the posts coming.
Twitter away. This is big league conversation. Millions of people talking back and forth. It's scary to jump into it. So dip your toe. Follow some interesting people. Respond to their interesting tweets.
What's next? Look around. How are your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles? Where are your customers conversing? By now you're a social media veteran. You should have plenty of confidence.
Pull back. Not all these steps are for every business or owner. They may not have the personality or charisma to present well in every social network. It's going to be a trial and error process. They probably shouldn't get too far out of their comfort zone. It could reflect badly on the business.
Be real. And don't neglect the real space. Go to networking events and meet people. Try public speaking. Network beyond the computer. And talk to your customers.
I'm going to leave you with a few words from Seth Godin. No matter what networking strategy you choose, pay attention to his advice on how to approach it:
Perhaps it's just as crazy to force every business owner into social media. Think about it. There is a certain type of charisma involved. Some people are intimidated by public conversations. And they're going to find any excuse to not use the hot social medium du jour.
Which is a bit counterintuitive. Because small business owners need to be the company's top sales rep and spokesperson. They are the face and voice of the business. So they need to project those roles to a virtual space. Maybe it's the tech or fear of something new that is the problem. But there are steps - baby steps - to becoming involved in social media.
Start commenting. Find a blog you like and start leaving comments using your name. Don't worry about being profound. Write something. Keep it short. When you become comfortable with that blogger, try commenting on more blogs. Don't pitch your business. Just talk.
Try forums. Start out commenting again. When you have a feel for the environment, start a thread. Get comfortable with carrying out a conversation that way. Again, this isn't an opportunity to pitch your business. You're having polite conversation.
Now blog. It's not such a big step now. Create your own domain (preferred) or try a network (MaineBusiness.com would be a perfect fit). Write about your industry or day in the life of your business. Remember, this isn't a pitch. Keep the posts coming.
Twitter away. This is big league conversation. Millions of people talking back and forth. It's scary to jump into it. So dip your toe. Follow some interesting people. Respond to their interesting tweets.
What's next? Look around. How are your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles? Where are your customers conversing? By now you're a social media veteran. You should have plenty of confidence.
Pull back. Not all these steps are for every business or owner. They may not have the personality or charisma to present well in every social network. It's going to be a trial and error process. They probably shouldn't get too far out of their comfort zone. It could reflect badly on the business.
Be real. And don't neglect the real space. Go to networking events and meet people. Try public speaking. Network beyond the computer. And talk to your customers.
I'm going to leave you with a few words from Seth Godin. No matter what networking strategy you choose, pay attention to his advice on how to approach it:
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