How to use social media for business. A quick checklist including the importance of setting objectives before you start, being respectful of your audience, and making sure you have the right mindset. Social media is about building relationships, not selling!

1. Could social media benefit YOUR business?

2. Have an objective To get to know more about my industry and stay up to date To increase the number of potential customers on my database To extend my network To find out more about my customers To communicate regularly with my customers and stay ‘front of mind’

3. Rules of engagement Customer focused Knowledgeable and helpful Community minded Willing to share Respectful of your audience

4. How can it help Establish yourself as an expert Build relationships and trust Raise awareness of extent of services Increase your circle of influence

5. How do I do that? Think like a customer Demonstrate that you understand your customers’ needs Share knowledge and expertise Provide information (yourself or via others)

6. How to lose friends fast Here’s another one of our products We need to tell you about our new service Look! We’ve got a new website Here’s a link to some more information about us Look at our special offers

7. So boring ...

8. What will I write about? Things that you know about: Case studies Hints and tips Guides and ‘how to’s Videos and tutorials Anecdotes

9. Who will I talk to? Customers (past, present, future) Enquirers Suppliers Colleagues, associates, partners Divide into segments: Group A Group B Group C

10. Where will I find a new audience? Exhibitions and events Networking Sign up on website Lead generation e.g. ppc, direct mail Partners and affiliates Encourage others to share Join in others’ conversations

11. When will I find time? News item Article Blog entry Status update Series of tweets Recycle information

12. How do I get started? Decide on your objectives Define your target audience – where will you find them? Decide how you will track and measure response Start with one activity and build from there

13. Put it into perspective Do your customers use social media? Will this activity generate revenue? How will you know if it’s successful? What else are you doing?

14. Who can help me? Kick-off meeting to establish objectives Action plan Monthly review From £250 jane@janebrocklebank.co.uk 01628 675584 www.janebrocklebank.co.uk