This will be a multi-post all about Social Media and how it can help you improve your business. I would also like to hear your responses to this post. Have you used social media to your advantage? Has it worked? Has it failed? Enjoy!

So you decided to take the technological leap into social media, but are you doing it effectively? This article will be a great primer for anyone that has not taken their company to the next level online, as well as people who do leave an online footprint but just want a bigger one… Size matter for this one folks.

I know some of you reading this are skeptical on how social media can help your green industry business. Hopefully after you read this you’ll have a good idea on how to use it to your full advantage.

So let’s start with the basics.

What is Social Media?

Simply stated social media is any kind of online platform that interacts with its audience with the benefit of sharing information.

A two way street if you will. Magazines are a great way to get information but you cannot interact with it. Well, I guess you could but then you’ll be a crazy as my uncle Bob. Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone.

Now there are many different types of social media;

Social Networking – facebook.com, myspace.com, hi5.com, twitter.com

Social Bookmarking – delicious.com, propeller.com, stumbleupon.com, digg.com

Blogging and forums – thelawnblog.com, thelawnblog.com/forum

So now you should have a good example of what social media is. Let’s move on.

I am going to touch on the most popular programs and sites as you should already know what they are.

Facebook.com

Facebook is a massive social networking website. I am sure most of you have an account already and waste the majority of your time on there playing those highly addictive games… Guilty! But there are more than games and keeping in touch with grandma facebook has to offer. You can (and I recommend) you create a facebook page for your business. I have made one for our landscape maintenance company. You can visit it here,

Murphy Property Maintenance Fan Page

If you like you can become a fan. Your support is appreciated.

A quick rundown shows that you can share photos, updates, hours of operation, articles and discussions. Fans can even chime in and comment on your work. If you already have a website you can add your link back to your website. Doing this adds to your online footprint making you a stronger competitor.

For more detailed instructions on how to create a facebook page visit their FAQ page here.

Twitter.com

to be continued…