What about Facebook and Linked in? Yes, it's getting harder to avoid these social networking venues. And they're becoming less "social" and more "business" all the time. Our clients are starting to get serious about incorporating these tools into their marketing mix. So let me answer a few of the most FAQs here.
1. Do we need a Facebook page? You may not NEED one, but it might be beneficial depending on what your business is. If you're in a sensitive field (health care, finance, etc.), be extremely cautious about what you post. Announcing golf outings or links to information from credible sources is usually a safe bet, but don't offer financial or medical advice.
2. Who should be in charge of it? Ideally one person, with a reliable back-up person. That way the voice is the same. However, there should be multiple people responsible for feeding ideas to the person in charge of posting on the page. (Or depending on how large your organization is, one person from each department could provide regular updates.)
3. What about Twitter? You could post separate updates here or have your Facebook updates automatically directed to your Twitter account. Be sure to have a professional-looking background. Either choose an appropriate one from Twitter or have one designed for you.
4. Tell me about Linked in. This is more for professional networking and would work well for sales people or those looking to connect with individuals who can provide business leads.
5. How does YouTube fit into all this? See video article below.
6. Is one better than the other? They all have a valid purpose. And this is JUST the tip of the iceberg. As with any aspect of marketing, start with a plan, a purpose and a goal. Then be sure to follow through and be consistent. And of course, we're always here to help!
Finally, keep this in mind. Be careful what you post because ... What happens in cyberspace STAYS in cyberspace!
