Before You Start Spending TOO Much Time Social Networking

You hear two things about social media — that is is a great way to make connections  but also that it can be a tremendous waste of time.  Both of these statements are true.  The difference in your results will depend upon your preparation. If you don't have a strong sense of your brand or a basic strategy behind your use of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, you can make a lot of friends but not see the results in your business.

You do not get sales directly from participating in social networking.  Social networking serves as a way to meet new people and get them to want to learn more about you.  Your efforts to network for business will be in vain if you have not put some thought and effort into what happens once your new social networking friends click onto your web page.

Here are five things that you can do before you start spending time on social networking sites to make your time spent more productive.

1. Have a Clearly Defined Target Audience

To be successful in marketing, you need to have a well-defined target audience.  Social networking is a great way not only to connect with members and thought leaders of your target audience, but to learn about them.  In order to effectively, use social marketing for research, you need to know who to connect with.

2. Have Something To Give.

Social networking (or any networking) is more about giving than receiving. Start finding interesting pages and resources to refer people to in your tweets and postings.  You'll quickly get a reputation for being an expert.

3. Have an Inviting Home to invite People to Visit.

Twitter and Facebook are places to get acquainted.  Deep friendships bloom when people can get to know you better.  On your profile, point people to an interesting and engaging website or blog that makes your new friends want to get to know you better and visit your blog often.

4. Create a Strong Personal Brand.

Know who you are and what makes you interesting.  Use that brand on your blog, in your profile and in the subjects you choose to post about.

5. Know Your Next Steps.

When someone comes to your site to learn more — what's next?  Make sure that you have a funnel developed that gently and naturally leads people from getting to know you on social networking to becoming loyal clients.

Follow these five steps and you will not only improve your social networking results, you will improve your marketing in general because you will make it easier for social networking acquaintances to become friends, partners and clients.