The Basics of Social Media and Business Networking

Social media has become an online extension of traditional business networking. LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be very effective tools for staying in the conversation with clients, contacts, and referral partners you meet networking.

And, just like business networking, you want to focus on building business relationships on Social Media.

Here's the right way to build relationships on Social Media:

Grow your social presence with the professionals you want to network with

Which professionals can help you move your business forward? Which social media sites do these people use most? These are the sites you want to spend most of your time on. It's possible LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter are where you want to be, but check to make sure. Every industry is different. Concentrate on building your network on 1-2 of these targeted sites to start. You can build from there!

Post engaging content

Develop engaging content to share your expertise--maybe videos, articles, podcasts or contests. Remember to comment and share other's content, don't only post on your own pages.

Publish new content as often as you can. Notice what content gets the most attention, and post more of it.

Provide value

Focus on ways to be helpful to others, and avoid promoting yourself. Provide value, don't focus on selling to people.

Be professional and positive

People will follow you if you are positive. No one wants to follow and do business with a complainer.

Terilee Harrison helps entrepreneurs and small business owners get more referrals, clients and leads through proven offline and online marketing strategies. Book your referral strategy session here.