If you’re not using social media in your business, you’re probably sick of hearing that you should be. And I’m not going to be the exception! There are very few businesses who couldn’t benefit from interacting with customers and potential customers via this medium. In case you’re not sure what ‘social media’ refers to, it is websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Digg, Google+ and so on. These websites allow you to create business pages or profiles where you can post messages and interact with your ‘likers’ or ‘followers’. Many businesses fall into the trap of thinking social media is just another advertising avenue and try a ‘hard sell’ approach. This works in very few cases. A successful ‘social media campaign’ involves building relationships and rapport with those who’ve chosen to follow you. This might include, posting articles you’ve written, sharing relevant links to articles or websites, providing community information or offering free advice. It is also acceptable to include in the mix, announcements of your events, sales or offers. But if that’s all your messages entail, your followers will soon tune out or stop following you. Social media can also be a great tool for business owners. You can ask your followers to give you feedback about your service. Or ask them to fill in a survey on a particular topic you are researching. Recently I asked my followers to comment on some logos I’d designed for a client – they were really happy to give their two cents worth, and my client was thrilled by the feedback (it made his decision so much easier). The great thing about social media is that its free to setup and use, and you can start slowly as you get to understand how it works. So get yourself on social media so you can start posting and tweeting!

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender