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Buzz and money don't necessarily go together, especially during a recession, and especially when it comes to social media.
If Twitter hasn't figured out how to make money, then how can we figure out how to make money on Twitter?
I moderated an N.C. Technology Association event Wednesday night in South End titled “Tweeting, Blogging and Linking Your Way to Success.” One of the keys: Networking can't immediately be tallied up in dollars and cents. It is time you invest in yourself.
The panel represented several different fields of expertise, and before the panel session I asked each expert a basic question:
How can business people use the tools of your trade? Here's what they said.
Heather Lipford, an assistant professor at UNC Charlotte and expert in privacy issues on the social Web:
“The most important tip is to consider ahead of time what you are comfortable sharing on the Internet, and then act accordingly. It is very easy to overlook the privacy implications every single time you post something online. When we go to a social Web site, we are usually thinking about interacting with friends or sharing information. We may not think much about privacy until something negative happens. So take some time to think about how you use each site, decide what you will and will not share, change the privacy settings, and periodically revisit your information and settings to make adjustments.”
Lisa Hoffmann, former journalist and marketing copywriter, and an expert in networking:
“The social Web works the same as meeting people in real life, so think about how you like to be treated and apply that to your online interaction. You'd never walk up to someone you don't know, toss a business card at him and walk away. Avoid the equivalent online and get to know people a bit before you promote yourself or your business. Social media offer the perfect venue to break the ice by showing interest in other people. … And nurture relationships that begin online by following through with a phone call or meeting over coffee.”
Fred Sexton, CEO of
mouseandman.com and an expert in search-engine optimization:
“Being at the top of the search is exponentially more beneficial than the bottom or gasp ... the second page. People trust this coveted top slot because they trust the search engines (more and more every day). The No. 1 way to increase your search engine rankings is to acquire new authoritative links from other Web sites. … There are many ways to actively seek out links. However, in the long run the best way to get quality links is to be yourself. Find something important. Dominate your niche. Answer questions. Speak the truth. Be real. The links will come.”
Brandon Uttley, social media strategist for Wray Ward advertising and an expert in online PR:
“The focus is no longer on your or your company – it's on your customers. They are increasingly in control of the message. Traditional Web sites are still important, but social media sites are where people are hanging out, in record numbers. Companies are putting less emphasis in building expensive, custom designed Web sites and using low-cost social media to be part of consumers' conversations.”
