Networking For Now

News boards. Hobby sites. Networking forums. Social media sites. It doesn’t matter what you call them or which ones you belong to. They’re everywhere and we all use them in one form or another.

Social networking sites have many uses; making friends and contacts, learning about trends and finding business leads are but a few. For entrepreneurs and independent contractors, social networks can be a rich source of information and referrals.

But they are constantly growing and changing. Don’t let yours fall behind.

Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter, and etc. may all have different looks and interfaces, but they also have a lot in common. And there are certain things you should remember in any business networking situation.

Learn the rules of the site. Every social media site operates a little differently. Make sure you know what’s acceptable when it comes to signature lines, posting links and which subjects are allowed.

Post an appropriate picture. People like to see who they are “talking” to and you’ll often get a better response. Keep in mind however, that you are networking for business; it doesn’t have to be a professional studio portrait but it should be tasteful. For example, don’t use a picture of you in a bathing suit or drunk at a party. Some people also substitute their business logo for their main picture.

Participate and contribute to the conversation. Although you can gain some benefits by “lurking”, you’ll get better results as an active member. You can often gain valuable information and resources simply by reading other people’s posts, but to get full benefits you have to be able to form relationships. Ask a question, answer a question or propose an interesting topic for discussion. If you don’t, no one will know you’re there.

Fill out your profile. They may vary in the categories and types of information you can list, but all social media sites have a place to list your business information. Make sure your profile displays your business and yourself in the best possible light. Show your personality. Think about what to say and how you should say it.

And finally, keep your profile up-to-date. Both the networks and your business are constantly evolving. Take the time to periodically review and make sure your information stays current. For example, you don’t want people reading about your spring specials in September. You will also want to add new accomplishments, milestones, awards and certifications as well as new services and products you may have added.

Keeping up with all of your profiles and posting can become quite a time consuming proposition, but well worth the effort. A VA who specializes in social marketing can be an invaluable resource; she can help you set up and maintain your profiles and often provide you with fresh content ideas for your posts.