[Question] How do you keep up with your Social Networking websites/forums?

[Avocet]

The list of Social Networking sites just seems to be exploding at the moment!

Some I am on at the moment are Twitter (of course), Sta.rtUp.Biz.com, LinkedIn, FindVirtual and of course here at VAF!

I'm thinking about writing a blog. Does it go against "protocol" to write one and copy and past it to the other sites? With the exception of some of my VA friends, I think I have different contacts in each area.

Any tips on how to how to use your time wisely whilst getting as much exposure for your business as possible?

I actually enjoy the networking side of things and have made "virtual friends" from all over the world. I'm not good at giving a hard sell. My way of thinking is to be friendly and hope that if someone is looking for a VA that they would think of me. Do I have the right attitude or should I be a bit more forward in the forums?

Sorry, lots of questions but I would be interested in your comments!

Avocet

[MissMichelle]

I think this is mostly up to you in regards to how you market yourself. If you're comfortable with a slow paced, maybe they'll call situation where money isn't an issue, that's probably ideal. However, if you're looking to do this as full time and you don't have a solid client base, you'll want to really get out there and let people know about you.

It's very personal with how you get a solid client base started.

As for blogging etiquette and reposting, you may want to check with the individual boards and follow what others are doing. Every forum has its own expectations for things like that.

Best of luck!

[leedrozak]

You could provide links and notes from your blog to other sites. Don't feel pressure to join every networking, just do what is best for you and your business.

[AngieGreen]

I see no problem with writing 1 blog post and having it sent to multiple outlets like Twitter, Facebook, etc. I think it's a very efficient yet effective thing to do. I find it hard as well to keep up with all the sites! I'll have to check out the others you mentioned....or maybe I shouldn't so I don't get hooked into more!!

[ShelleyH]

It is really interesting to me that there are as many different ways to market as their are people marketing.......... cool!

[justcat]

Some I am on at the moment are Twitter (of course), Sta.rtUp.Biz.com, LinkedIn, FindVirtual and of course here at VAF!

Hi there! Here are my thoughts... As stated above, each site does have rules as to what you can and can't post and/or link to - so it is definitely important to check that out first.

Twitter - I think it is fun and informative and really valuable if you follow other people in your industry. It is a great idea to see how other people in the industry are balancing their careers and homelife.

Facebook - I think it is a great for lots of things! Networking with other people in your industry (much like Twitter), marketing yourself to potential clients and keeping in touch with friends and family (which can also lead to new contacts!)

Sta.rtUp.Biz.com - NOT a fan! It seems like ever since I joined I have gotten nothing but TONS of spam!! I plan to end this service soon!

LinkedIn - I haven't decided if I like it or not. It seems that there are many people I know on it and would be great for marketing...if people really used it. Most of the people I know on there only joined because it was one more way to gain potential contacts. There doesn't seem to be much going on.

MySpace - Seems like it is more personal not particularly good for business.

FindVirtual - I haven't heard of this one before...I'll have to check it out.

VAF - LOVE IT!! My favorite and definitely seems to be the best way to learn anything you need to know about your own VA business!

Hope this helps...didn't mean to make it quite so long...

[nkelly]

I have not started a VA business yet and this, as you say: "I'm not good at giving a hard sell. My way of thinking is to be friendly and hope that if someone is looking for a VA that they would think of me." - I know will be the hardest for me as well. I adore Twitter, am on Facebook and don't totally see the value at this point and am trying to figure out what it is.

[justcat]

Hi there!

When I sign up with a new networking site, I always use the same address and have updates emailed to me as often as necessary. This way I do not have to visit the site several times a day.

Every morning I open my email and see if any of my networking sites emailed me with DM's etc. If so I give a quick looksee and move down the list. I usually only give this about 30 minutes - so I pick my favorite sites. (This one ofcourse, Facebook and Twitter - although there are tons of them that I like!) Yep, I'm a nerd and happy to admit it!

Then I carry on with my day to day stuff. On my slower days I will check my email several times and respond to anything I find needs it. On busy days I try to check my email again for about 30 minutes just before or after lunch.

And again, just before my work day is over I mull over the email again. This time I only spend about 5 or 10 minutes. At the end of the day I am only looking for lose ends I might need to tie up or urgent requests I need to respond to. I leave the others for the next morning.

Once a week (usually Wednesday) I clean out my email box and visit & update all of my networking sites. I usually try to do this on Wednesday's but I must be honest and say it happens on Saturday a lot!

Hope this helps!

[kminton]

I pretty much do the same as "justcat" -- emails in the morning while I'm drinking coffee. Then I'm move on with my work for the day. I check again around 4pm to see if anything urgent/interesting came up and if not, everything waits until the next morning. And, I too usually find that my Saturday morning is spent on updating all of the sites and my blogs as well.

[RobnT08]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought maybe by commenting it will bring it to the top again since I have been wondering this very thing.

I barely get to visit the VA forum here and cannot take advantage of all that it has to offer until I get my commenting quota in, which as I stated above am finding hard to accomplish.

With only a handful of clients, I have lots of wiggle room in my schedule, so I know I just need to budget my time better and plan for the things I want to get done. It's easier said than done though, right? (wink wink! :-) )