Say you’re an employee at a small business and the boss isn’t the least bit interested in social media. But you are. Maybe you think the company you work for could really benefit from being more “social.”

Take action.

This is an opportunity. Put together a plan and march it on up the ladder. Propose to management that YOU can enter the social sphere on behalf of the company.

Explain the value.

Even if they’re not active participants, are they active listeners? Are they monitoring the Interwebs for mentions of their name or their competitions’ names? If not, tell them that you can do this for them.

Set the parameters.

Explain that people trust “people,” not companies. And since you’re a person, you’re perfectly positioned to build the trust. (Who could argue with logic like that?) Explain where you think the business should have a presence and why. Show how you would monitor your activity and the competition’s. Provide them with ideas for how they can assess your engagement and the value of the “intelligence” that you could bring to the business.

Promote yourself.

Be proactive. Step up and offer to take this on in addition to your normal workday, just like you treat social media when you’re not at work. It’s just part of what you do. Test the waters and see how it goes. If you’re not thrilled with your job, but you love social media, create an opportunity to do more of what you love.

You have nothing to lose.

Make yourself the leader of social business at your company. You’ll learn a ton. You’ll make new connections. And, while you’re at it, you may enhance the way you feel about your company and the way your company feels about you.

Have questions? Ask away.

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