There’s a brand new social media website in town that’s targeting the Muslim community’s unique networking needs. UmmahLinked is specifically aimed at helping individuals and businesses make meaningful connections within the ummah (Muslim community). Their simple tag line “Care. Share. Grow.” Really appeals to me.
I’m still pretty new to the site (I just signed up today), but I find it easy to navigate and full of good information. There is a business directory, a blog full of informative, business-related articles, IM chat features and more. You can share various formats of content easily. It’s free to join (although certain aspects of the site may be fee-based according to the FAQs. I encourage you to consider joining this social media website and start networking and connecting with others within the Muslim community today.

I had some really great conversations with a few different sisters this week, each on the cusp of embarking on some very exciting projects. Although each sister is engaged in a an entrepreneurial pursuit completely different from the other, they shared a similar concern:  a hesitancy to join what has become the social media revolution to spread the word about her biz.

Interestingly, I encountered this type of apprehension among Muslim business women frequently. So much so that when I established my Twitter account for Muslimahs Working at Home, I was pretty shocked to see just how many sisters were actively utilizing this powerful networking platform. I find sisters who are hesitant to participate in social media site avoid it for one or more of the following reasons:

1. They have no idea of how to get started and find the concept intimidating.
2. They feel they don’t have the time to spend on social media.
3. They think it could lead to exposure to haram (impermissible) situations, or unlawful mixing of the sexes.

It’s true, social media can be a bit intimidating at first; it can become a time consuming activity, and you can open yourself up to some pretty deviant people and situations; but it doesn’t have to be that way. You have quite a bit of control over how you utilize social media, who you connect with, and how you choose to interact. Here are some tips to help you promote your business effectively:

Create a social media strategy

Ask yourself: what do I want to accomplish? Are you looking to make more people aware of the products or services you provide? Do you want to drive more visitors to your blog? Are you looking to “meet” and build relationships with others within your niche/industry? Each of these objectives can be met through social media. Once you know what you want to accomplish, you can plan a strategy to keep you focused and help you meet that goal.

Focus on building meaningful connections with others

Social media is about engaging in the social aspects of the Internet and getting to know others. Take time to start and join in conversations with others and let them see a bit of the real you. Being personable and approachable makes a big impact on the web.

Don’t over promote your business

One of the biggest mistakes some business owners make when they first begin using social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter is to constantly post updates about themselves and what they’re doing or selling. Put yourself in your follower’s shoes – how do you feel about receiving constant posts from someone who only seems to think of herself?

Spend some time sharing interesting links to other blog posts and websites, repost updates from your followers, and if you can try answering questions posted by the people you’re connected to. Helping others is a big part of socializing and networking online.

Keep things businesslike

If the primary purpose of your account is to bring attention to your business, be careful not to post too much of your personal information and opinions. When others Google you, your updates will show up in the search results. It’s okay to share some personal information, because it adds an important personal touch to the brand you’re building; but you don’t want to go overboard. This is also a good way for sisters to keep “unwanted attention” at arm’s length.

Post updates regularly

I hate it when I get really interested in a blog, or any other social media account, only to find that the person no longer posts the content I’ve come to eagerly look forward to reading. Real life situations are sure to come up from time to time, but it’s still important to post as regularly as possible to maintain a presence and establish a strong brand identity.

Have you gotten business through social media? If so, please share!

I owe a lot to Twitter for helping me secure two of my steadiest clients. Wait, that didn’t come out right – let me try again: I owe my time spent networking on Twitter, and building genuine relationships with others in my industry, with helping me secure two of my steadiest clients.

Do you see the difference in those two statements? The first might have lead you to believe marketing my business on Twitter is what brought me more business. The second statement correctly reveals that the process of getting to know others in my industry and allowing them to get to know me in return led to those colleagues sharing business leads with me, which I followed up on and am happy to report have become a steady source of my income.

Where exactly am I going with this? I realize that many entrepreneurs are still under the impression that social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are vehicles for marketing their products and services. And they’re wrong. I used to think that way too. Then I started getting followed by a mass of self-proclaimed Internet marketing experts which led to being bombarded by streams of sales pitches and ads. And I didn’t like it. Not one bit. I noticed no one else seemed to like it much either. Then I started paying attention to a few noted social media experts who were constantly saying that social media is simply about being social – networking and building relationships. Starting conversations, joining conversations, answering questions, helping others and, well, socializing.

I didn’t get it at first. I was there trying to earn a living and attract business. I didn’t see where socializing fit into my plans. I had no idea what I was doing, but eventually I started regularly interacting with other freelance writers and copywriters and before you know it I really began to appreciate the camaraderie and information I received from the links they shared.

One day a writer friend sent me a DM (Twitter speak for Direct Message) explaining that she had a regular client with a project he needed completed, but she was too busy to take it on. She trusted me to handle the client for her. I was stunned at her generosity. I expected freelancing to be cutthroat. I was also very greatful because I really needed the money.

The same thing happened again. Another writer friend had a client searching for another resume writer to contract overflow work to. Although I had no previous experience writing resumes professionally, the client took a chance on me because of my writer friends kind words; and I still write for that client today. It wasn’t Twitter that brought me the business; it was the relationships I’d developed with these writers that led me to these opportunities. I finally understood.

Social media is a big part of how we use the Internet now. Unfortunately, a lot of us are still confused about how to use it for business. Here are f0ur tips to help you build your business and your network:

Don’t get caught up in quantity over quality

There are lots of people on Twitter and Facebook obsessed with getting the most followers or sending out massive numbers of Tweets and updates. Social media works better when you focus on quality first. Choose to connect with people who can teach you something or provide valuable information.

Remember people do business with people they know, like and trust

I know I do, especially when making purchases over the Internet. Social media can help you build a loyal  customer base by providing a platform for you to demonstrate your intentions, ideas and expertise.

Network effectively in less than 15 minutes a day

I tip my hat to those who seemingly spend all day on Twitter and Facebook. Granted, some of those people have automated updates posting periodically throughout the day, but there are others who are constantly connected. I admit that sometimes I’m on more than I should be – after all, I do have client projects, kids, my mother, my husband, and other responsibilities that require me to tear myself away from the web throughout the day.

Don’t feel avoid social media because you only having a few minutes a day to spend networking. And don’t feel guilty thinking you should be putting in more time. If you can’t, you just can’t. Thankfully, you can show up a few minutes a day and still reap the benefits. You can even use social media tools like Hootsuite to post simultaneously to multiple social media sites all at once.

Keep it simple

The “social media gurus” can make social media seem so intimidating, but it isn’t really – or maybe it’s as complicated as you make it. I say keep it simple: Sign up, create an interesting profile, follow/friend people that interest you or have the same things in common as you do, and engage them in conversation. Lather, rinse and repeat.

Ever heard of Meetup.com? Meetup.com is an online resource that helps you find others who share your interests (E.g. small business, marketing, cooking, sewing, etc.) in your community. You can then plan real life, in-person meetings and get together regularly. Well, Meetup.com recently joined forces with American Muslim Mom and created the American Muslim Mom Meetup Page and established World Wide Ramadhan Meetup Day. It’s a great opportunity for Muslim women to locate one another and come together to share the last few days of this blessed month.

You can start a Meetup group in your city and from there decide how you and the other sisters you connect with would like to cometogether. You can Meetup weekly at a local park where the kids can play together, at the masjid,  or a favorite restaurant –The scheduled date for this Meetup is for August 23 so all you have to do is choose the time and place. This is a great opportunity to meet come together with other Muslims in your community. Reach out to your friends through email, Facebook and Twitter to spread the word!

It’s beyond exciting for me to let you know that Muslimahs Working at Home now has a Facebook page! I’m looking forward to connecting with other bloggers and Muslimahs who are looking to start or grow their own home-based businesses and establish more balance in their lives.

When you visit the new Facebook page, you’ll see our new logo (which , by the way, is also displayed in this post) design courtesy of Paramaya Web Consulting. I have truly enjoyed working with them, and look forward to launching the new site design next month, insha’Allah.

Please stop by and visit us at our new page and show us that you like us and the information we share about earning a living working at home. And if you see something you don’t like, by all means  please send an email letting us know what we can do to improve. Jazak Allah khair!

Muslimahs Working at Home was created to provide women with an alternative to earning an income outside of the home. Our objective is to share resources and tools necessary to operate a successful, profitable, home-based business.

Jummauh mubarak everyone!

Insha’Allah you will all enjoy the blessings of this day. It’s Follow Friday again over at Twitter. I’m always excited to share information about the people I’m following. I checked my email this morning to find lots of new people following me. Please be patient with me – I’m a little slow to respond because this week’s been quite hectic, but I will follow you back. Enjoy the day!

@starupamerica

I’ve been following the website stratupamericapartnership.org since I stumbled into working for myself.  @startupamerica’s tweets provide a valuable resource of information for new biz owners.

@organicconnect

I love all things organic, and organicconnect keeps me well informed and educated. I enjoy receiving tweets about food, o environment sustainable living.

@cnnbrk

I’m a self-confessed news junkie, and for the past 24 hours I’ve been closely monitoring @cnnbrk’s tweets to find out all I can about the devastation the tornadoes that tore through Alabama and Georgia left behind.  My mom and several family members still live there, so I appreciate any bit of information I receive.

@thepinkboss

As if the name alone didn’t grab my attention (“the pink boss” – what’s not to love?), I adore the fact that this business focuses solely on developing female-owned businesses! The fact that she’s also located in Atlanta, GA is just icing on the cake. @thepinkboss sends out inspirational tweets and great advice to empower your own female owned and operated empire.

Muslimahs Working at Home was created to provide women with a financial alternative to earning an income outside of the home. Our objective is to share resources and tools needed to operate a successful, home-based business.

Yesterday I decided to take the day off. I’d spent Wednesday and Thursday nurturing one sick child, and by Friday another of my little ones was also sick. Sleep deprivation was getting to me, so I took time out to get some much needed rest and plan ahead for the following work week and my scheduled trip out of town next Wednesday.
I didn’t spend much time on Twitter, but I still wanted to take time out to note my #FF favs for the week:

@AtweetForAllah

@AtweetForAllah sends out inspirational tweet based on the book The Ideal Muslim. There’s nothing more uplifting than finding inspirational ahadith in your tweet stream throughout the day!

@ponnsabra

@ponnsbra is the founder of an amazing lifestyle blog for Muslim women called American Muslim Mom. She covers everything from homeschooling tome and garden tips.

@greenhijabi

@greenhijabi’s website www.greenhijabi.com  a site dedicated to mental, physical, spiritual balance and green living. She shares lots of helpful tips and sobering statistics to drive home the point that protecting the earth’s resources is everyone’s responsibility.

@paramaya

On Thursday I had the pleasure of speaking with Laura Sultan, owner of www.paramaya.net. I was so impressed with her client list, creativity and professionalism that I’ve decided to hire her firm to redesign Muslimahs Working at Home. I’ve followed her tweets for some time. She always posts excellent tips and advice for online marketing and SEO.

Muslimahs Working at Home was created to provide women with a financial alternative to earning an income outside of the home. Our objective is to share resources and tools needed to operate a successful, home-based business.

Jummuah Mubarak, everyone! It’s that time again – time to give special #FF shout outs.  As I’ve explained before, I do this on my blog because I need more than 140 characters to really explain why you should consider follow my picks on Twitter. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to it:

@muslimaoasis

This account represents Muslima Oasis Magazine. They share links to articles inspiring female empowerment and eradicating stereotypes, and discuss issues relevant to Muslim women all over the world.

@smallbiztrends

It is esetial that you follow @smallbiztrends if you are running, or planning to start, your own small biz. You’ll ave access to tweets that keep you informed about basic business practices an important trends you need to know about.

@HabibiHalaqas

Following @Habibiaaqas gives me access to links to some pretty interesting articles, webinars and discussions covering topics about Islam, family, Islamic lifestyle, etc . @soloE – I get great tips and information about running your own solo business (you know, where you’re both employer and employee).

Insha’Allah you’re having a phenomenal day. It’s #FF again over on Twitter, and once again I want to share my follow Friday picks for this week:

@UrbanMuslimahs – It was this sister’s profile that immediately caught my attention. It reads:
“Opinionated(putting it lightly) Muslimah on a daily struggle to strengthen my Deen, follow me if you choose…”
How could I not follow? @UrbanMuslimah  was also kind enough to share a link to the CNN special Unwelcome: Muslims Next Door (I‘ve disabled our cable since we’ll be moving in two months). Oh, and the sister has an online store where she sells garments for sisters (abyas, hijabs, etc.). Follow her to learn more.
@FitMuslimah – This sister is a personal trainer and her tweet are the constant reminders I need to take my health and fitness more seriously. I sit in front of the computer a lot, so I have to schedule exercise into my daily schedule. She shares lots of important information relevant to women’s health.
@NobleQuran – Even on my worst day, there is nothing like reading an ayat to calm me and bring me back to what’s really important in this life – seeking the pleasure of Allah, t a’la. Follow @NobleQurant to receive these inspirational tweets.
@UmmahBuzz – I enjoy reading links to news and other information relevant to the global Islamic community. Follow @UmmahBuzz to say informed!

Jummah Mubarak!

Muslimahs Working at Home was created to provide women with a financial alternative to earning an income outside of the home. Our objective is to share resources and tools needed to operate a successful, home-based business.

Today’s post is a short one – I’m passing along some very good information for business owners that regularly offer coupons, promotions and other special offers. A representative of  Work Halal (@workhalal on Twitter) shared this information with entrepreneurial sisters on the Yahoo! Group Work at Home Muslimahs.
If you’re on Twitter, follow @muslimcoupons, and when they follow you back your coupons and  special offers will automatically be retweeted to others within the ummah, masha’Allah. This is a great opportunity to spread the word among the ummah about your business!

Muslimahs Working at Home was created to provide women with a financial alternative to earning an income outside of the home. Our objective is to share resources and tools needed to operate a successful, home-based business.

photo credit: Hotcouponworld.com