Social Networks are websites that allow people and businesses to interact (network) with each other in a controlled environment. Currently, the top 3 social networking sites are Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter.
In their very simplest form, social networking sites offer a great place for a company to post a “digital” business card. These digital business cards or “profiles” as they are properly known are often picked up in search engine results and can drive traffic directly to a company website.
The beauty of a social network is that Company A can network with Company B to exchange ideas, products, services, etc.
As an example, lets say that XYZ Manufacturing needs a more efficient method to share information about new product offerings with their distributors and/or customers. In the past, they’ve used email, which tends to bounce or get blocked and they’ve tried calling which takes a lot of manpower and yields poor results, but with social networking, there is nothing to email and no way for the information to be blocked, not to mention, it’s always available to the intended recipient.
Using a site such as Facebook, XYZ Manufacturing can post brief descriptions of the new products with links pointing the distributors or customers to a location on XYZ’s site where they can download full data sheets, whitepapers, CAD drawings, etc.
Are Social Networks Secure?
Because of the large quantity of traffic and the fact that they are a sure target for hackers, Social Networking sites use the highest level of website security possible.
Who Can See My Information?
One of the great things about social networks is that they allow you to decide who can see your company information and who can’t.
My company has a Linkedin account, which has our full contact info, updates from our blog, employee profiles and other such data that I don’t want everyone to see. So, I lock it down so only people I approve can see our full information.
At the same time, I want to make sure that potential clients are able to see what we offer, so I have a public profile that allows very basic information:
Concerned About The Time Commitment?
Most companies we talk with want to take part in Social Media but are concerned with the time involved to do it right. Well, let me assure you – there are options:
- If you don’t have the in-house staff or the time to commit to a full social networking program, you should at the very least have a company profile on the top 3 sites.These profiles will be picked up in the search engines and provide you with some direct traffic, not to mention the possibility for new clients, distributors and such.
- If you have a staffer with a little time on their hands, they could spend 20 to 30 minutes a week posting 1 or 2 lines company updates.Example directed at your distributors: “Don’t forget, when selling the blue widget, you customers will also need the red widget or they can’t connect the blue and green widgets.
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If no one in your company has time but you still want to be aggressive in your social networking, we will post your press releases and product photos with descriptions and links back to you site. Whatever you can send us, we’ll post for you.
Social Networking In A Nutshell
Below are the benefits of a social networking program:
- Company exposure in the top social networks.
- Additional company exposure in the search engines.
- Networking capabilities with potential clients.
- Networking capabilities with current distributors.
- Quick, secure and easy method to distribute information.