We talk about how we use social media outlets for our clients. I would like to hear how everyone uses it to promote their own business?

I'll go first....FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Biz Nik, Blogging, getting ready to begin a YouTube series and am still thinking about more. Being a social media company, I need to do more, but the truth is....I just don't have enough time to devote to marketing (I guess that's a good thing though.) I know that sounds bad and I am currently revising my business marketing plan to enable more time for this.

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Matt
ARION Technologies

Having started as a skeptic I LOVE social media!

My favourite is twitter - I love the interaction with other people, it makes working on your own a lot more fun.

LinkedIn I only recently got to grips with - I signed up months ago but only in the last few weeks have I invested the time to get my profile sorted and connect with more people. I've also gained a couple of new clients via LI which is great.

Facebook I do have but it's my least favourite - you don't get the instant interaction of twitter and I just find it.... boring really. I love FB for personal stuff though.

I've got a YouTube video but it needs updating, it's on my to do list!

As for time, when I'm really busy I just pop on each a couple of times during the day but make more effort if it's quiet to devote some time to it.

Did I mention that I LOVE social media? lol

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Bridie's Typing Services - specialising in transcription services
The professional's choice

I am just starting to look at social media marketing. I have been on Twitter for a while but am finding it difficult to build my follower base. They are mostly other VA's at the minute. While this is great, I am finding it difficult to find people to connect with who are in my target niche of business startups, freelancers and home workers.

Perhaps I need to find people using other routes - LinkedIn, networking forums and then follow up on Twitter? Is anyone else having the same kind of problem?

I have to say that I am not a fan of Facebook for business. I do like it for personal stuff too, like Bridie.

I am on a steep learning curve in this area but am hoping the effort will pay off in the long run.

Sue

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Gray VA Services - Virtual Business Support
www.grayva.co.uk

Have you followed people in your target niche?

The best thing to do is follow some and chat with them... if they tweet then reply - it's not all about marketing. For instance, someone I follow on Friday asked for some information and I found it for them - it took me a few minutes to locate the info but I saved him £80 in parking fines. He tweeted twice about it to his followers (and he had a lot more than me) which hopefully led to some new followers for me.

I really enjoying trying to be helpful to others and find twitter is great for that.

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Bridie's Typing Services - specialising in transcription services
The professional's choice

Thanks Bridie, that's good advice. I realise that a large part of the work in social media marketing is the building of relationships. I need to start following some of my target audience.

Sue

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Gray VA Services - Virtual Business Support
www.grayva.co.uk

I am just getting started and I am SURE that Social Networking is an important part of my marketing - but I am a neophyte.

You all sound more experienced, any advice what to do...or better yet NOT waste time doing?

Jo

To start out, I would get involved with the "Big 3". Create a LinkedIn profile and get involved with it (join groups, participate in discussions, etc.) Create a Twitter account and post actively. Create a Facebook company page. Share it with friends and family to help spread the word. Most importantly, use the tools and start building relationships.

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Matt
ARION Technologies

Here's a thought provoking video with respect to Twitter.

http://marctv.net/maybe-it%e2%80%99s...stop-tweeting/

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Use what ever your target market is using. I have accounts on many networks including the big three. However I am most active on LinkedIn (my target is C level mgmt and executives who are now branching out on their own) and Facebook (this is for my local market who find this the easiest to use). I have gotten many leads from LI. I also have gotten some inquiry from FB but these are also people I have met or who know someone who is in my face-to-face circle.

I think we tend to forget that if you find it difficult and your target finds it difficult you (or they) will not use so therefore you are spinning wheels. Just like face-to-face networking, some groups will work for you and others will not. Same principals apply here.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thanks for the great info on this thread. Someone mentioned Biznik and i just listed my profile there. I am SO excited about it. Thanks again!

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Carm
Business name:Go to Virtual Assistance