Business development is relationship building. It is a long haul, and often the seeds of a relationship are planted several years before a business engagement actually bears fruit. Social media, likewise, is all about relationship building. Mastering social media can kick your networking game up a notch. Effective social media use can give you more bang for your buck than any networking happy hour, and can be done from the comfort of your couch. Put these power practices into play to get the most out of your social media presence:
Master the nuts and bolts. Tinker with a few different platforms whether LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, WordPress, etc. to figure out which ones are the best fit for you. Apps such as TweetDeck or HootSuite can help you manage multiple social media accounts with ease. Whatever platform you decide to use, make sure you have a solid understanding of the logistics of the platform. Attend a local PodCamp or social media meetup. In addition to putting faces to Internet handles/names, you can get invaluable tips about using your platform of choice.
