Social media is a big deal these days. Many small business owners are still resisting, but the truth is, it is here to stay and if you aren’t using it to promote your brand, you may be missing out. It’s time to be consciously engaged!
As I prepare to lead a 2-hour workshop called Effective Social Media Marketing for Conscious Leaders at the 2014 ACEP conference in Phoenix in May, it’s got me thinking about the best tips I would offer to my holistic practitioner friends.
Below are 5 things a small business owner can do to put that conscious, kind and authentic YOU front and center on social media:
1. Reach out! People like to be included and invited. Send social media connection requests to your current contacts. Go through your Rolodex or phone contact list and make sure you are also connected with those people on LinkedIn and Facebook. When you speak, got to a networking event, get a phone call or new email inquiry, make an effort to connect digitally! On Facebook you can even determine how you are connected to separate your business, friend and personal connections for appropriate engagement.
2. Follow, friend and connect with conscious leaders in your industry who you already adore. Successful experts share valuable content and often have professionals managing their social media platforms. Let their example show you how it’s done. Notice how they use photos and a variety of topics. You can share what they post with your own comment and offer helpful content to your friends and followers.
3. Be the best version of yourself online 24/7. All posts should be the kind of thing that would NEVER make your mom cringe. It is best to avoid posting about politics, religion and anything that might be considered poor taste. Be very careful about liking and commenting on posts about those same hot topics and you will remain in good standing with your connections. It’s okay to have an opinion, but it also pays to be respectful.
4. Support and promote the consciousness of those you are connected with. Share, like and comment on the good things they post. By doing so, you help them by boosting their visibility with your friends and followers. Remember if you only post about you, but fail to engage in true conversation, you are wasting your time. When you give, people will return the favor. It is okay to ask others to share what you post, but use moderation.
5. Develop an honest profile and bio that positions you as a trusted expert. Be completely honest as you set up your profile, making sure to post a current photo. Carefully choose key words in your text to describe you and your business. If you decide to participate on LinkedIn, make sure your profile is 100% complete. Because LinkedIn feeds Google searches, doing this helps search engines find you. People are checking out your profile while you sleep, so take charge of this important matter and allow it to work in your favor.
I can assure you that by being the best version on yourself online, you will attract some amazing friends. There is nothing to fear and everything to gain. It astounds me time and again that people mention my posts in positive ways when I see them in person.
By the way, if you are kind and conscious person reading this, but not yet connected to my Facebook business page, The Indigo Connection, Betsy Muller Founder, or on LinkedIn (betsymuller) or Twitter(bbmuller), I hope you will reach out and connect with me there. You can learn more about the Phoenix Conference at www.energypsych.org.
