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Using Social Networking to Grow your Business
Dr. Mike Okouchi
By now you’ve probably heard of sites such as MySpace, Facebook or YouTube, but are you using these tools to grow your small business? In this article I’ll give you some tips on how you can position yourself as an expert within your business niche using social networking tools.
You know that what you offer is spectacular, but if other people don’t know that, you’re going to have a really difficult time growing your business. Social networking platforms such as Facebook.com and Twitter.com allow you to form relationships with people instantaneously. In social networking your connection with people is permission based and you establish your global presence. What other form of advertising can do that and for free? The advantage you have with social media marketing over traditional marketing is that your potential customer gets to know who you are and you begin to build trust. People buy from those they trust.
Here are some basic tips to help you get started using this type of new media:
1. Set up a Facebook profile. Go to Facebook to set up your free profile. A good tip to get you started is to make sure you upload a picture of yourself. Fill in all the basic information about yourself and try to make it as personal as you can. Let others get to know the real you. As you get used to using your account we’ll go over the different applications you add to spice up your profile.
2. Set up a Twitter Account. Go to Twitter.com and set up your free profile. Twitter is a micro-blogging platform where you can send out short messages (140 characters max) to your followers. When you first set up you’ll want to start following as many people as you can to jump into the community. You’ll also want to put out meaningful posts every now and then.
3. Set up a blog. Go to wordpress.com or blogger.com (both are free) to set up your blog. This is where your expertise will really shine. A blog allows you to write short articles on topics pertinent to your customer base. Remember to write articles that have useful content, which make you look like the expert in your industry.
In my next article, I’ll show you how to integrate these tools and begin to use it to your advantage. Till next time, start setting up your accounts and make your presence known in the social networking realm.
Dr. Mike Okouchi is a Doctor of Chiropractic who took his practice from a start up to a well established business in less than 2 years with zero paid advertisements. His office is located in Irvine, CA. At only 28 years of age, Dr. Okouchi has become an avid student of entrepreneurship and strives to help other people build their businesses. Dr. Okouchi states “I love to see good people win especially when they’ve put it all on the line by starting their own business.” You can email him at mike@akdocmike.com. Visit his health blog at www.akdocmike.com or his clinic’s website www.velocitywellnesscenter.com.
Announcing Blog Design by Logoworks
New Blog Design Offerings and Free Templates from Logoworks by HP!
According to a recent survey by Forrester, 24% of companies have considered implementing Web 2.0 initiatives as a priority in 2008 – and 27% of companies are specifically considering creating blogs.(1) As communication has gotten easier and faster with the Internet, it’s no wonder businesses are increasingly looking to become even more interactive with their customers online. Interactive mediums such as blogs provide a great opportunity to keep potential customers informed and engaged on the latest news or hot product while also allowing direct feedback (or public praise!) on ways to improve business.
However, many small businesses and even marketing teams within larger companies face several challenges. They often don’t have the technical knowledge to develop their own blogs and other Web 2.0 programs or aren’t sure where to go for help.
Keeping this in mind, Logoworks by HP has introduced several new affordable and versatile blog design offerings to help businesses ride the Web 2.0 wave and start building customer interactivity and perhaps, even communities. With the new custom blog design packages, businesses can now communicate directly with customers in a more open yet still highly, professionally branded forum that adds a personal touch to any commercial website regardless of the business’ size. Small businesses can now work with Logoworks’ expert graphic designers to affordably create a custom blog that’s as unique as their business. With four different offerings to choose from starting at just $449, businesses on any budget can enjoy a customized blog design that coordinates with their website.
Logoworks by HP also introduced free blog templates allowing companies on shoestring budgets to get in the game and start interacting with their audiences right away. Developed by award-winning designers, the templates run the gamut from fun and whimsical to contemporary and elegantly simple. With such a wide variety of styles, folks will undoubtedly find a template to suit their personality or business.
Additionally, we’ve updated the Logomaker design tool for a dramatically improved logo design experience. Logomaker 2.0, which will be available the week of May 12, delivers an enhanced design experience with a new and improved user interface and updated design choices for the DIY small business owner. Improvements to the user experience include the ability to save favorite icons, enhanced help functionality and stronger search technology to help users find the icon that is right for their business. Also, this enhanced functionality allows small businesses to create a free logo for their website in mere minutes.
For small businesses eager for an introduction into blogging, Logoworks by HP is also hosting a free webinar about business-related blogging on Wednesday, May 7. Chris Baggott, small business expert and successful business blogger and founder of Compendium Blogware, will share his insights about blogging for business purposes. The session will touch on a variety of issues from the basics such as what a business blog is (and can do for businesses) to how to setup and maintain a successful blog.
Through this expanded range of blog design offerings, HP continues to provide small businesses with tools and expertise to help ease the stress and technical knowledge necessary to participate in the rapidly growing Web 2.0 arena and ultimately, better connect with their customers.
For more information about our new blog design offerings, visit www.logoworks.com/free-blog-design. To register for the free Logoworks by HP Blogging Webinar on Wednesday, May 7, visit http://logoworks.com/webinar2/.
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