This particular post is geared towards the small business and sole proprietors that are utilizing social media to promote their business or products.  Most small businesses are jumping into the social media world with little or no knowledge of how they should operate their social media campaign.  Below are what I consider a few important social media rules of engagement for small businesses.

Know Who You Are

Knowing your online identity as well as letting others know up front who you are is important in establishing trust among the online community.  If you are posting in the social media account on behalf of a company, be sure that your profile and posting style reflects this.  Do not act like an individual who has no relation to the company in which you are promoting in your online profile.  Letting others know you are in fact part of this company, not only removes anyone calling you out later, but can actually create an even stronger bond with the community knowing that you are an actual source at the said company.

Don’t mix business with pleasure…in that if you have a personal account on social media sites, don’t load it up with a bunch of stuff your real life friends have no interest in.  Your personal account is more about “you” and your life…not about the company you work for.  I am sure your friends don’t want to hear about your problems with TPS reports!

Do You Listen Jimi Hendrix or Hear Him?

Social media is not about “me”, it is about “us”.  I see alot of people focusing more on themselves instead of the community.  This is a great way to end your social media campaign just as it began. Read the rest of this entry »