Believe the Hype
Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, My Space, SlideShare, Flickr…it’s a lot, I know. And I keep hearing the same question: “But have you gotten any business out of it?” My answer: That’s not why I can be found at any of those places (at the moment). I’ve jumped in the water and I’m soaked through to the virtual skin with the possibilities of it all. I’m in a service business, but right now, these web-based social venues are not about “getting more business” online—they’re about “getting more out of my business network” online so I can build my business better offline.

Learn. Share. Link.
The truth is, I haven’t even scratched the surface of what any of these social media outlets can do for me. The untapped potential at my fingertips is enough to keep me awake at night, I tell you. Now, instead of going online to search for information that I’m interested in, the information I’m interested in comes directly to me. Once you find the global, national, regional and/or local leaders in your online community, you’ll have instant and consistent access to the content, thinking and innovation that may inspire you on the local level. In turn, you can then filter, frame and forward on content, thinking and innovation to (and for) the clients, peers or prospects who are interested in what you have to say. (HINT: This is the part where you actually DO “get business out of it.”)
So instead of looking at online social media outlets as “forced socialization” (which is how some real life networking functions can feel), think of it as “flexible socialization” that you can customize, alter, enhance, engage and disengage at a hard cost of $0. And as an added bonus, you don’t even have to dress up and put on your uncomfortable shoes. The only cost here is your time. And for that, I say input equals output.

Make Social Media Make Sense To You
If you STILL think you “don’t have time” for this stuff, consider finding a few (or even one!) good blogs to read that are put forth by someone who has invested the time to sift through the virtual layers of dialogues, chatter, posts, walls, comments, etc. (Obvious recommendation to subscribe to my posts here on GrayMatter Minute, as just one REALLY GOOD example.) And chances are you’re going to eventually find yourself wanting to join the conversation. When you do, be strategic and break it down:

Stop Talking Yourself Out of It and Tweet Yourself Into It, Already!
I recommend trying Twitter as a starting point if your online objectives are business oriented, as are mine. Twitter will lead you to great blogs, great thinkers, great sites, endless resources and even face-to-face meetups (or “TweetUps” as they are called) with other tweeters. Here’s a great post from Sarah Evans (a.k.a. @PRsarahevans on Twitter) that can help you get your head around the Twitter “How To’s” so you can fast track your learning curve. You’re also going to want to check out Darren Rowse‘s blog: TwiTip.

Move Yourself From A Follower to A Following
Take it from someone who was never a big fan of networking events because they felt so forced. It’s the absolute and unabashed flexibility social media offers me that has me singing…er, tweeting, posting and facebooking…its praises. You’ll be amazed at what building your own little (or big) following can do for your business. You’ll probably even find yourself no longer asking if you’re “getting any business out of” social media and focusing more on the value you’re “bringing to it.” And that, folks, is the real bottom line on social media.

Find Me and Say Hello
Get to know my business better on LinkedIn: Renee Lemley
Join the conversation I’m having on Twitter: www.twitter.com/usegraymatter

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With so much information and technology available, changing and churning, it’s a challenge for any busy person to keep up with new social media outlets without feeling like you’ve been pulled into an endless “time suck.”

But don’t let the potential perception of social media (SM) as time-wasting technology override the long term benefits of keeping up with the “Joneses, Inc.”

You may not think you have the time, but your customers and clients do. And after dipping your toes in the SM water, you’ll be surprised how many of your peers are using the latest online tools to communicate, network, link, blog, SlideShare, bookmark and boost SEO. It’s not a bad idea to take a closer look at how you want to define your social spectrum.

By reading the leading bloggers or following the most twitterful tweeters, you’ll also be able to find ways SM can act as a “time saver” instead of a “time suck” when it comes to generating leads, finding resources and staying current on innovative marketing trends.

Here are a few articles that offer a few of the WHY’s of why Social Media is becoming a Social Must:

Why Social Media? Bridging the “productivity divide.”
Why Blog?
Why Twitter? How to use Twitter for Marketing & PR.
Why is it that if I’m not LinkedIn, I’ll be LeftOut?
Why should I use SlideShare? What is SlideShare?

What’s the bottom line?
The SM technology train is moving fast. Now is a good time to find out how you can enjoy the ride…