You want to do it.
You need to do it.
You KNOW you need to do it!
But where do you find the time to squeeze in building your web presence? How do balance dealing with current business, while at the same time build for new business?? You already have to much to do! It's too much! ARGHHHHHHH!!!
Stop. Breathe. Relax. Wusaahhhh...
Perhaps my favorite and most often used quote is, "Work smarter, not harder." So how can we apply this to Social Media? I'm going to share a few techniques with you that I use. Try them, see if they work for you.
Step 1: Commit!
Set aside an hour a day to post a blog, add some friends, read some blogs, something SM related. I tend to do a lot of my blogging at night, after the kids are in bed. I plan on an hour, but I usually get swept up in it, and am up til crazy hours. I get swept up in it because I...
Step 2: HAVE FUN WITH IT!
You can meet some truly fascinating people on sites like Twitter, FaceBook, and here at ActiveRain. Don't focus ALL your posting on listings and market analysis. There's a time and a place for this, and it's not everywhere and all the time.
Build your network by sharing a funny joke or story. Comment back and engage in conversation. You'll be amazed at what you can learn. I know I have been. I have to work really hard to convince my wife I am "working" when I'm giggling my fool head at off at someone's Twitter post.
Step 3: Multi-Task your multi-tasking!
Many sites allow you to broadcast your blog to several different sites. For instance, when I post this blog, it will go to:
- http://activerain.com/blogs/timwhitehomes
- http://www.timwhiteblog.com
- http://localism.com/neighbor/timwhitehomes
- http://localism.com/mi/hart
- http://www.twitter.com/timwhitehomes as a tweet linking back to this blog
Then I will go to FaceBook, where I will share the link on my personal profile, AND on my business page. That's SEVEN different URL hits, all from one blog. Oh, and all of those have links leading back to my main page.
Know what's really cool? My friends on Twitter will "ReTweet" the link, and my FB friends will share the links, and so on and so on. My words of wisdom (hahahaha) will spread like a virus through cyberland.
Step 4: KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
You don't have to write a book! In fact, longer posts can be a turnoff for some. Try to summarize your idea, and hit the highlights. If people want to know more, they'll ask! That's why this one is so long! You don't need to be Robert Frost or Ernest Hemingway, but good creative writing that sparks interest will generate more hits. I learn a lot about this by reading other people's blogs, and learning from them. Try it!
Step 5: Reciprocate!
You love it when people recommend your stuff, right? Well, so do they! Build yourself up by building others. Over half of my Twitter posts (Tweets) are ReTweets and or replies that promote the work of others.
Call it "karma", call it "spreading the love", whatever. I call it common sense. The more you help others, the more others are going to help you.
For my next blog, I'm going to attempt to explain Twitter, and how it can help you grow. If you haven't subscribed to my blog yet, WHY NOT??? It's a click away, and you'll make me smile :)
Nicely done Tim!
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