1. Bucks county business exchange Prepared by Mark Carcione September 16, 2009 Social Networking Tools
2. Agenda What is social networking Social networking tools BCBX on LinkeIn & Facebook LinkedIn features & tips Facebook features and tips Homework assignment
3. What is social networking Social means the way humans integrate daily in the society that we currently live in. Networking is the connection for people to send messages and files online. Coleman outdoor equipment TV advertisment promotes themselves as the original social networking group as they show images of people socializing around the camp fire
4. Social networking tools LinkedIn – professional networking, promote yourself, get connected to potential clients, join groups, promote your company Facebook – fun and personal, what’s new with you, share pictures and events, track friends birthdays Twitter – broadcast snip-pits of meaningful information to those following you, limited to 140 characters Blogs (Web log) – A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web; write articles, provide useful information, promotes yourself, qualifies you as an expert Others – mySpace, Friendster, Stumbleupon, del.icio.us
5. BCBX on LinkedIn LinkedIn Group Open for anyone interested in BCBX Subgroup – only contains active members Use it to promote your business Start discussions (i.e. Does anyone know of good mechanic?, Just used XYZ plumbing – highly recommend their services) Post a news article (i.e. What’s in store for mortgage rates, changes to tax laws) Tips for using LinkedIn Be selective as to who you allow into your network Use advanced search features to located potential clients Develop a full profile, not just a partial one, as this reflects on your professionalism and quality of work Get in the habit of changing your profile often as each change is broadcast out to your network – keeps your name being seen Use your headline like a news headline – attention grabbing Join other groups – many members post useful information to help your business grow and succeed Ask for recommendations as these are the equivalent of “referrals”
6. BCBX on Facebook BCBX Facebook Page In lieu of getting and maintaining a website, this is a good alternative Open for anyone interested in BCBX Meeting details are posted – can add pictures from meetings, can post remarks about meeting Each time an update is made, it is broadcast to all the members [on Facebook] – great way to try to get “interested” members to become “active” members Tips for using BCBX Facebook Page Keep the BCBX page professional but also light hearted – this is where we can promote the fun side of ourselves – use LinkedIn to promote your professional services, not Facebook Post comments and pictures of your business or events (i.e. holiday party pics) Post events that your business is hosting (i.e. fundraiser, golf tournament) Tips for using your personal Facebook Page Explore the available applications, like the birthday calendar Have fun with your personal Facebook page – change up your profile pic often, post meaning events in your life (son/daughter got married, kid graduated from college – finally!) Search from friends and other groups where you may be able to reconnect with old friends You can add your LinkedIn profile to your Facebook page so people can connect with you on a professional level Anytime you make an update its broadcast to all of your “friends”, so keep changing up your page – out of sight is out of mind, so keep yourself in people’s view
7. Homework Assignment For those of us who have used each other’s services, write a recommendation for that person Completed this task by the next meeting Ask for one recommendation from someone not in the group – don’t get upset if they don’t respond as some people just don’t have a knack for writing and are fearful that they may not do it right – you may find that only 1 in 5 people respond Without someone asking you for a recommendation, write one for them – it’s a great way to guilt them into writing one for you!
