Using Social Media to Promote Your Business

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!