This document provides an overview of social media and tips for using platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn for business purposes. It discusses how to create Facebook fan pages and LinkedIn profiles, engage communities on these sites, and develop social media marketing strategies and policies. The key takeaways are how social networking allows businesses to connect with customers, build their brand, and participate in online conversations. Guidelines are also presented for appropriate social media use and content by employees representing their organizations.

1. Welcome to our attendees:UCF Business Incubation Program (UCFBIP)UCF Venture Lab/Tech Transfer OfficeFlorida Economic Gardening InstituteFlorida Business Incubation Association (FBIA)Jump Start Your Social Media

2. Jump Start Your Social Media

3. “George Bernard Shaw said, “Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself.” Such is true for social networks and the digital persona that we create and cultivate. It is the beginning of the shift in behavior toward an era of digital extroversion, self-defined by varying degrees of sharing, connections and engagement.Brian Solis, Sociologist and Published Author

4. Jump Start Your Social MediaLearn how to manage your Facebook Fan PageCreate your Linkedin ProfileHow to build your Linkedin connectionsDevelop a marketing strategy for your Facebook Fan page and Linkedin Profile What you need to know to develop your Social Media Policies for your clients and employees

5. Why Social Media?During the average20-minute periodin 2010, there were1,587,000 wall posts, 2,716,000 photos uploaded and 10,208,000 comments posted. (AllFacebook.com)3.08 billion will be spent to advertise on Social Media networking sites in 2011, a 55% increase over 2010(eMarketer)With over 750 million users, Facebook is now used by 1 in every 13 people on earth, with over 250 million of them (over 50%) who log in every day.(DigitalBuzz.com)

6. It’s All About The ConversationSocial Media isn’t a one-way marketing tool but a place where you canengage and participate in an exchange with the communityto tell them about your business.

7. Fish Where The Fish Are Social Media Marketing is a lot like fishing – fans swim together in the big ocean and companies try to catch them To be successful, scan the ‘seascape’ and learn more about the fish that you’re trying to reachConnect with the right school (community) and you can catch the Big Fish!

8. When we were in school, getting an “F” was a bad thing

9. In Social Media, it’s all about the three F’s: Friends, Fans and Followers

11. Why Facebook?Over750 millionpeople on Facebook by May of 2011

12. Facebook isFREE

13. Use Facebook to share blog, posts, and business updates with other Facebook users

14. Create an extension of your web site to share what makes your business uniqueFacebook Profile Page

15. Facebook Fan Page

16. Why Facebook Fan Pages?Get your business’ website to show up higherin search engine positions as Facebook is a very popular website.

17. Getunlimited ‘fans’for your Facebook Page (Personal Facebook Profile is limited to 5,000 friends).Visible to all visitors because Facebook users do not need to request to be a friend to view a Facebook Fan Page.All content posted on yourFacebook page gets indexed on Google.Creating Your Facebook Fan Page

18. Facebook.com/pages

20. What do you do with your Facebook Fan Page?Post events, speaking engagements and photos from events.

21. Ask and Answer general questions (be mindful of privacy issues with your students and clients).Provide updates about your business new seminars offered to the public, new clients who have joined your network, new programs being offered at all locations.

22. Why Your First 25 Fans are ImportantOnce you reach 25 fans on your Facebook Fan Page, you’ll be able to register for a BRANDED user name(a vanity URL) for your Facebook Page. Be sure that the Facebook Fan Page user name you choose is the one that you want! www.facebook.com/username

23. Let’s Review!Create a Fan Page NOT a Profile Page for your business.

24. Facebook isn’t about generating “sales,” it’s about developing relationships

25. What are your most important sections on your Facebook Fan page?

26. Let’s Review the Fan Page

27. Marketing Strategy for Your Facebook Fan PageWhat’s the difference between features and benefits?A feature is a factual statement about the product/service being promoted. A benefit answers the question “What’s in it for me?Smart Social Media marketing is about understanding and engaging with your clients about how your service offers them a benefit to improve their life and grow their company.

28. Marketing Strategy for Your Facebook Fan PageWhat one word describes you and your business?Example: Disney = Magic

29. Marketing Strategy for Your Facebook Fan PageHow will you be HUMAN?Finding your unique voice to create a relationship with your fans.

30. Find ways to focus on the benefits of your expertise rather then listing your services. Facebook Fan Page Posting TipsShow your personality

31. Remember its about the conversation – DON’T sell but find ways to inform, educate and entertain

32. Try to update your fan page at least 3x times a weekListen – if your fans ask a question, answer it. If they have a complaint, respond to their concerns and do it all in a timely mannerShare your news with your fans – the sooner, the better. Let them be the first to know!

33. What is Linkedin?Linkedin is the world’s largest professional network with over100 millionmembers and growing rapidly.

34. Linkedin connects you to your business contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.

35. A new member joins Linkedin approximatelyevery 10 seconds.Probably the biggest difference between Facebook and Linkedin is the focus on introductions.

36. When You Join LinkedinYou create a profilethat summarizes your professional expertise and accomplishments.

37. You can thenform enduring connectionsby inviting business contacts to join Linkedin and connect to you.

38. Your network consists of yourconnections, your connection’s connections, and the people they know,linking you to a vast numberof qualified professionals and experts.What to do on Linkedin? Post your online resume that’s publicly available for people to learn more about you and your business.Find and be introduced to potential clients and referrals.Create and collaborate on research with other business development professionals. Make inside connections to get you introduced to employees in large organizations who may need your services.Gain new insights by participating with other like-minded professionals in online discussions .

39. Creating Your Linkedin Profile

40. Develop Your Linkedin Profile

41. Everyone meet Winston … Winston …. this is everyone …

42. Everyone meet Winston … Winston …. this is everyone …

44. Leveraging Your NetworkCreate a profile that represents you and your businessList your current and past positions as well as your educational background.Include educational certifications. Add a profile picture! People want to connect with other people, not a company.Create a descriptive summary about your background and the services your business provides.Help the right people and opportunities find you!

45. Grow Your Linkedin NetworkPost a question or answer a question in Linkedin Groups – connect with other professionals and establish yourself as an expert in your fieldJoin industry and alumni groups related to your business

46. Marketing Strategy for LinkedinLook up someone’s profile BEFORE you meet them. Learn more about their background and see what you both have in common to start the conversation when you meet in person.Search for other professionals for referrals based on recommendations from the connections in your network.Collaborate with other professionals for research.

47. When using the Linkedin CommunityYou are always in control of who you inviteYou can always decline an invitation to connectYou are rarely inundated with invitationsAsk your first-level connections to introduce you to their first-level contacts