MOVING LINKS 4 YOU

Mary,

I started my new project in June of last year and have to say that 95% of the content I have gathered has come from meeting people via social media. I am still learning how to use it. There are tried and true method basics, however as it varies for everyone who needs to apply it to their business model, it takes time and mistakes to learn what works best.

I had considered outsourcing all of it, but initially, it needs to be me (or any biz owner for that matter) who is trying to establish themselves to dive in and get known.

Eventually the biz will take on it’s own life and then I can have folks do my media work while I sit back and play

On the serious side, having LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and a host of other pages available to create a good picture of myself and the business give much greater reach for a lot less money than trying to garner the same exposure via traditional marketing.

I could rant on but that is the basics. Using it, making mistakes as I go and correcting them as I learn. Would I suggest it to everyone – you betcha!

Thanks, Stan – you’re our Senior advocate. What a great resource you are!

Hi Mary,
I’m sure I already said this to you elsewhere: I am a total newbie to social media. Well, that’s not entirely true — I have been on Facebook for a while now, but without too much involvement, not much beyond a birthday wish and an occasional hello to people I already know.

I have been active on LinkedIn for a couple of weeks, and I am pleasantly surprised. Yes, there are the constant elevator pitches, much as I expected. But also, without too much effort, I have been able to make a few meaningful connections (you among them) and even find a few potential clients. And if this is the result of time investment of 30 minutes a day or less for two weeks, I imagine in 6 months or so I will have much more to tell.

Furthermore, I’m also looking at Facebook with different eyes now, and reconsidering Twitter. It’s still all confusing (mostly Twitter!) and overwhelming to me, but, much like Stan, I’m choosing to jump in and try, make mistakes, and get better with time. Wish me luck! And remind me to post here again in a few months with a progress report.

Lisa.

Social media really helped me in many ways. When I started my chess coaching business I was able to get help in naming the company. I would have come up with a completely different concept in a name, one that would have turned people away (as it turns out). Instead I came up with Your Chess Coach which was so much better than I would have imagined!!

As a freelance writer I have gotten quite a bit of business through Linkedin. I set up my profile to give everyone a really complete picture of me and as a result I have people finding me through searches. So far I have gotten two huge jobs as a result.

I use the other social media sites on occasion, but so far I haven’t gotten direct business from them.

@Lisa – I have just contacted you after looking at your website as I think you may be able to help me on something. You have some very creative ideas. You and I recently met but have already crossed paths several times and I know we will continue to.

@Laura – we met early on and I remember being part of helping you select Your Chess Coach. What a great idea to let 100′s weigh in on what your name would become. And you certainly know how to engage people in your writing. I love your “6 word story” contests. They make for a wonderful interlude in my day to dream up a “6 word story.” Who would have known what a punch you could serve in 6 short words? I love it.

Through my membership on LinkedIn, I have landed two training gigs, one just last month. It’s nice when business comes ‘out of the blue’. As I continue to ramp up my presence in these various venues, I expect to garner even more business. I naturally take part in social networking sites anyway, so the business I occasionally get is just gravy.

Mary, you have always been so helpful to me on LI. I remember when you helped me find the name and you also helped me find folks to answer my survey questions. You are a very generous networker and a great example of what LI and other social networking sites can be about.

I’m so glad you like the 6 word stories! They are fun and help folks get interested in writing. I love them too!

Mary,

I started my new project in June of last year and have to say that 95% of the content I have gathered has come from meeting people via social media. I am still learning how to use it. There are tried and true method basics, however as it varies for everyone who needs to apply it to their business model, it takes time and mistakes to learn what works best.

I had considered outsourcing all of it, but initially, it needs to be me (or any biz owner for that matter) who is trying to establish themselves to dive in and get known.

Eventually the biz will take on it’s own life and then I can have folks do my media work while I sit back and play

On the serious side, having LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and a host of other pages available to create a good picture of myself and the business give much greater reach for a lot less money than trying to garner the same exposure via traditional marketing.

I could rant on but that is the basics. Using it, making mistakes as I go and correcting them as I learn. Would I suggest it to everyone – you betcha!