People often ask me about how I use social media and whether it helps my business. I’m not an expert on the top but am certainly an enthusiast. Recently I was asked to participate on a panel for the network of Over 40 Females to discuss the topic. Here are some of the tips I shared.

1. Social media is a vehicle–drive it where you want to go. Know where you want to go and have a plan for getting there.
2. Understand what social media can and can’t do for you. Social media can help you connect with prospects, clients and associates. It can keep you top-of-mind and increase your brand recognition and visibility. Don’t think that because you aren’t getting comments and messages to buy your product or engage your service that it isn’t helping your business.
3. Plan posts that align with your purpose. Think in advance about posting on holidays, connecting with hot topics and presenting your desired image.
4. Remember that the first name in Social Media is “social.” It’s generally accepted that no more than 20% of your posts should be selling or promoting your business.
5. Avoid posts that are controversial unless that fits your purpose. It’s easy to lose clients because of negative, controversial, political or religious posts. Just because you have an opinion doesn’t mean it needs to be shared publically.
6. Remember that anything you post is public. People often think their post on their personal page is personal. Unless you strictly control your privacy settings it is public. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t put on a billboard.
7. Don’t ‘should’ about it. It’s not that you ‘should’ be using this site or that one. Pick the ones that best suit your purpose and let the others go.
8. Engage your friends and followers. Pay attention to the type posts that get likes, comments and forwards. The key is to get interaction.
9. Don’t “broadcast only.” Reading the posts of people you want to connect with then liking, commenting and sharing makes it a two-way conversation. It’ll keep you up-to-date with what they’re doing and help strengthen the connection.
10. Have fun with it! Social media is a great way to connect with people, to get to know them and let them get to know you. If you hate it don’t do it!