A funny thing happens when using social media is part of your job:
It stops being quite so much fun.
You know it’s necessary, but you feel still feel like you’re wasting time that should be spent on other parts of your business. You resent the people who post personal things because, damn it, you’re there for work. You get confused about what’s appropriate, what’s necessary, what’s going to make you look good. You wish you could just go back in time to when no one had to bother with Twitter or Pinterest or any of it.
You start to hate the whole social media process.
Believe me, I’ve been there. I’m pretty much never on my personal Facebook account anymore, because Facebook is work as far as my brain is concerned. I go back and forth between loving that I can browse pretty Pinterest images for my clients, and then I forget to update my own account for over a week.
It’s easy to hate social media these days. But I’m turning over a new leaf.
When you misuse social media, it’s easy to hate it. But there are good reasons every small business owner should love it.
1. No more Faceless Business Syndrome
One of the drawbacks to every business being online is just that – they’re all there. And with such a crowded space, it can be hard to stand out from the competition. One of the best ways to make that happen is to create a memorable story or specific personality for yourself or your business.
Social media is a great way to tell the story of your brand in an easy, compelling way, on a platform where your audience can interact and respond.
2. Get an immediate response
Wondering which headline to go with? Which new service to offer? What people are thinking of your new book? Don’t wonder – ask.
Social media lets you connect with your audience and get an instant response. For them, it’s as simple as 140 characters or clicking “Like.” For you, it’s invaluable feedback.
3. Two words: free marketing
Last year, I joined the local chamber of commerce, thinking it would help me grow my copywriting business. But I didn’t renew my membership this year, because I got far more traction out of connections I made on Twitter than I did from any 8:00 am networking event.
Social media lets you attract followers, grow your audience, and create valuable relationships for free. What’s not to love about that?
4. Form personal relationships online
Freelance work is all about relationships. Customers are more likely to trust someone they know and like. Colleagues are more likely to remember someone they know and like. To make that happen, you have to connect with those people – even if you never meet them in person.
When you use social media, you have the chance to become someone that other people can get to know and connect with.
5. It’s here to stay.
Facebook has gone from being the domain of ivory tower college students to a necessary business tool. Twitter, once the territory of teenage egoists, is now a make-or-break networking platform.
Social media is constantly changing, but it’s not going away. So instead of fighting and resenting it, why not learn to love it?
After all, you’re going to be on it anyway. And I’ll be there right alongside you.
P.S. – six things you can do today to connect on social media + how to choose your social media
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