Top 10 Reasons to
Use Social Media
Social Media Works for the Busy Professional Series
1 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#10 Branding Yourself as an Expert
 We all are experts in something.
 Use your knowledge to connect with people
LOOKING FOR ANSWERS in your field.
 To share your knowledge, participate in the
conversation within groups and Q&A discussions.
 Provide links to related articles and free content such
as ebooks or consultation.
 Post consistent, well-written profiles to encourage
requests for more information and sales.
2 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#9 Lead Generation
 Start by connecting with your current network and
engage these connections online.
 Your contacts can refer you to others, easily and
openly. A retweet on Twitter or a comment on
Facebook is seen by their entire contact list.
 Join or start groups in your target demographic.
3 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#8 Targeting Specific Demographics /
Industries / Companies
 Use keywords and advanced search to find your niche.
 Save searches as alerts or favorites to keep watching.
 Using SM is much easier than going to a networking
event, “hoping” to connect.
 Profiles allow you to pre-screen people to see if they
would be a good potential customer or partner.
 Locate and access customers.
 Find offline events.
 Find online groups.
 Find hidden connections from your current contacts.
4 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#7 Easy Market Research
 It is quick & easy – but only after you have clearly
defined your target audience and goals.
 Develop skill in “Social Listening.”
 Listen to what people are talking about, like
“eavesdropping” on the conversation.
 Find out what is important to your customer.
 Incorporate this knowledge into your sales process.
5 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#6 Events
 Find new events.
 Promote your events to a wider audience.
 Events are visible in search results.
 Events are visible to all of your contacts’ contacts.
 Notice is easily forwarded to a friend
 RSVPs can be tracked.
 Comments, questions can be fielded publically—no individual
phone calls or emails needed,
 Reminders can be sent automatically to the RSVP list.
 Photos, video, directions to an interactive map, etc. can be
added.
 Use the most popular Social Media sites AND local event
sites.
6 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#5 Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
 Use the power of the internet to your advantage!
 Build your website’s ranking by cross-linking on all
sites.
 Use proper and consistent keywords/phrases for your
audience.
7 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#4 Promotions
 Engage online customers with:
 Special deals or promotions
 Daily specials
 Contests
 Giveaways
 Leads up to a live event
 Scavenger hunts or other creative use
 SM leverages exposure of your promos as your
contacts share with their contacts.
8 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#3 Customer Services
 Social networking your customer service elevates it to
a new, transparent level.
 SM provides a record of frequently asked questions.
 Success:
 Comcast cares
 Hyatt Concierge
 Zappos
9 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#2 Recommendations
 Recommending people/businesses shows good will
with referrals.
 Indications of approval of you or your brand are
visible to the network of contacts who endorse you.
 SM sites are a forum for online testimonials.
 If contacts see the recommendation, they don’t have
to wait to phone you. They can take immediate
action by viewing your profiles or websites while you
are fresh on their minds
10 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

#1 Ignoring Social Media CAN Hurt You
 People are online talking about EVERYTHING, perhaps about
your brand.
 Think about a positive experience you had with a business….
Don’t you share offline? What about a negative experience?
 Your customers, your potential customers and your
competitors ARE online.
 The ways in which people are communicating are changing.
SM may be OK to ignore today, but with this rapid change, you
will be left behind very soon.
 Think about someone you know without an answering
machine. How does this lack of “standard” technology impact
you when you are trying to reach them?
11 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

Why Social Media Works
We approach Social Media with a broad range of experience:
User-centered Design Writing
Project Management Editing
Usability Evaluations Marketing
Database Development Analytics
12 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

Why Social Media Works
We have a broad vision to see how
Social Media can benefit the many
industries we have worked in: Corporate
Small business / Entrepreneurs Government
Media (Radio/TV/Podcasts) Non-profits
Retail & eCommerce Technology
13 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

Social Media Works
Ongoing Training
Training Guides Events
Join our site
 Written for the to keep your Book us to come
busy professional knowledge train your group!
 Quick to read & up-to-date!  Boot Camps
easy to  Webinars
understand  Conferences
 Full of specific Consulting  Lunch & Learns
tips for
 Too busy?
businesses
 Hire us to help!
14 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

Team Consulting Services
Design Strategic Planning Metrics
Branding, or new Marketing Tracking traffic to
site design & strategies & site your website &
development architecture adjusting to meet
your goals
Content Research Virtual Assistance
Copywriting & Research of Setting up or
editing with your keywords, markets maintaining your
keywords and your Social Media sites
competitors
15 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

About Us
Linda Schenk, Founder & CEO
 “Virtuallinda” has been building
websites since 1997.
 View her work at www.cirquel.com.
 She is an entrepreneur & networker.
 She has an extensive background in
branding, web design and usability.
 She has a passion for design,
technology, networking and teaching
people new skills.
16 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

The Social Media Works Team
 Passionate about our work and wanting businesses
to achieve their goals
 Has an entrepreneurial spirit and constantly looks
outside the box for solutions
 Loves the ever-changing technology, seeing it as a
challenge to stay ahead of the curve
 Enjoys connecting with others or being the link
between two previously disconnected contacts
17 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

Keep on Top of New Trends
 Hours of Training
Join our site and let us
 Hundreds of pages of reading
do the work for you!  Following all the Experts
Our team tracks new  New technology Daily
technologies and tools
and will evaluate their
usefulness for the busy FILTERED by Social Media Works
professional
You get targeted knowledge, on-going
socialmediaworks.net alerts, network of business people
18 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net

The Social Media Network
Connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn & Facebook
 Get connected online with other professionals
 Encourage networking & sharing of ideas
 Find out about offline events
 www.socialmediaworks.net/twitter
 www.socialmediaworks.net/facebook
 www.socialmediaworks.net/linkedin
Need More Help?
Find out about our services:
socialmediaworks.net
19 ©2009 Social Media Works • www.socialmediaworks.net