There so many different social media sites out there that it can be quite overwhelming and there are new ones popping up all the time. It would take up all of your time just setting them all up, never mind actually contributing to them all or getting any business done. However, like Google, Yahoo and Bing in the world of web search engines, there are certain "staple" social media sites where you will finding most people who frequent these types of sites. They include:

Twitter -- This is a great way to share what you find interesting and helpful as you make your way throughout the week. If your followers are interested in what you have to say, they might want to learn more about you. You never know what juicy nugget someone else will share with you too. Come connect with me on Twitter.

Facebook -- More individual oriented. Facebook has more than 400 million active users (that's more than the total population of the USA). Come connect with meon Facebook.LinkedIn -- Like Facebook but more business oriented. Amongst the more than 65 million users spanning 200+ countries, you can join me there too.

YouTube -- What is it they say, if a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a video worth? Video is an important way to connect with the people who are watching over 2 BILLION videos every day on YouTube.

MySpace -- If your business is targeting a younger market born in the last 30 years, I've heard this might be a good place to have a presence.

These sites allow you to connect with many people in a rather general way. They are a great way for people to get to know you as you share value with them. What they don't do very well is to provide a way for people to learn more about your services or even how to contact you. That's where having your own website becomes very important. I highly recommend that any pages you have on the above sites always include a link back to your website and/or blog.

Think of your blog or website as the central hub of your on-line presence. It is a place where you can promote your business. It is a place where you can share more than 140 characters of information at a time, provide a space for people to sign-up for your workshops, teleclasses or other upcoming events, offer a way for people to sign-up to your newsletter and even take payments. You can see an example of this by visiting my website.

TECH COACH TIP: Some people have set-up their business using a Facebook page. They are then really surprised when I let them know that their pages are not accessible to visitors unless they have a Facebook account. So unless your target market is Facebook users, I recommend you use an alternative blog or a website. That being said, you can have a page on Facebook but be sure to have something else that has unrestricted access too.

Have you ever notice that most potentially interested client inevitably ask for one of three things:

  1. Your website address -- Because they want to learn more about you or share it with others.
  2. Your email address -- Because they want to contact you in a passive, non-committal way, possibly to take the business relationship to the next level -- working together.
  3. Your business card -- Even in our advancing world of technology, most people still like to get that tiny piece of cardboard paper which includes your name, your telephone number, email address and website address. A better business card will also include the reasons why someone should do business with you.

The good old fashion business card is still one of the most important marketing tools you can have. Notice how it includes all of the information from #1 and #2 above? Keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable with technology. For example, I can also be reached by phone at 613-825-0091 if you ever needed help with your website or some other technology.

The web is great for selling products and information. When it comes to services, your website, your social media presence, your business card and even your resume are all just ways for people to become aware that you exist, to share what you do and what you can do for them. The idea is to pique the interest of potential clients and move them to want to learn more about you or contact you at which point it's all up to you. The only reason people will hire you is because they believe that you can help them change how they feel. That makes you your own ultimate marketing tool.

Pop Quiz: What's the single most import thing you should share with absolutely everyone you know and have yet to meet? Answer: What you have to offer them of course!

Keep what makes sense to you out of all this and forget the rest. Ultimately it's only your beliefs that will make a difference for you.

I look forward to connecting with you.

With warmest regards,

Michael

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Life and Tech Coach Michael Milette
Come discover a great life!
www.MichaelMilette.com

TNG Consulting Inc.
Providing sustainable solutions for life
www.TNGConsulting.ca

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