Social media recap: are you doing the right thing on the net?

• Author: Misuraca, John
• Position: Internet Tools

Social media has gone from essentially non-existent to common in just the last decade. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are household names. User reviews on almost any restaurant., hotel or service business populate the web. Given this, are CRAB and CPA firms utilizing social media as a major part of their business? Well, probably not.

Before launching your social network presence, though, you need to understand it and have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.

In traditional marketing. information flows in one direction. Yon send you firm material through fliers. advertisements. emails and website, Information recipients then determine if they have a need for what you are offering. If they like what they see. they might call you.

Social media, though, is two-way communication. leaders of Your information now might comment (and even disagree), with your material. Conversations may develop and others might parieipate. It's now easier lire people to get to know each other awl develop relationships through this interaction.

If you are proficient with social media. followers of your posts will often view you as an evert. Customers want to do business with experts. so now your phone is ringing with prospects. The best part about these inquiries is that you probably would not have reached them through traditional marketing methods.

This all sounds great. fiat the question remains: How do you gel to this point?

LinkedIn

The only prominent social Media site created and focused on professionals and businesses, LinkedIn is the most popular social media site used by CPAs. It really is just a large database of more than 150 million people that can be used a number of ways to network with others.

Alter joining. you create a personal profile displaying highlights of your professional career, education, goals and other select inlormation. One way to enhance it is by adding personal recommendations from other LinkdIn members

Your profile directly represents how viewers will perceive you, so make your best effort to have a complete profile including a professional picture.

You create connections in LinkedIn by inviting others to join your network. Upon acceptance, you can then view their connections and grow your network. LinkedIn provides space in the invitation area to personalize Your invitation message, so take advantage of it.

You can set up a separate company account, but make sure the business owners have the passwords needed in case the...