Depending on the source of business leads, social networking may be a
helpful part of your business.

What is Social Media or Social Networking? It is interaction with people
that, instead of being face to face or speaking by phone, generally means
the networking done online, through the computer.

It is done through web sites - called social networking sites - that allow you to type and send photos to people. This could be helpful for you and your business because this style of networking is similar to, but not exactly like, when you visit with people at a business event.

Some of the sites are:

LinkedIn - This is a business and professional networking site where you can make 'connections.' These connections are friends or coworkers who also have connections. You can see their connections and can ask to be introduced to others. There are professional groups and associations that you can also join on LinkedIn.

Facebook - This is popular, though less professional site. The largest
growing population of new users are those aged 35- 60. Relatives and friends 'friend' you-- that is, they add you to their lists of friends. For communication, you need to confirm the friendship. You don't have to; you can ignore the request. I recently attended a Social Media conference and heard some good advice by one of the presenters, Elizabeth Sutherland of Sutherland Weston Marketing Communication. Elizabeth uses Facebook for her close friends and when asked by a professional acquaintance to become
friends, she declines but invites them to connect with her on her
professional Social networking site, LinkedIn. That has worked very well for her.

Twitter - Twitter is different than the other sites because it only allows 140 characters to be typed in or broadcast per time you 'speak.' There are many businesses that 'tweet," or communicate through Twitter. WABI-TV5 tweets.

These sites are free but cost you time. There are many other sites, these
are just a few. If you'd like to learn more about these sites simply do a
search for any of the sites, such as 'what is Twitter?' And you can learn
step by step how to start using these sites by doing a similar search, "How do I use Facebook?" These sites may be a very good compliment to your marketing plan - but really only work well if you have a marketing plan, so get one!


LinkedIn http://press.linkedin.com/about

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/facebook

Twitter http://twitter.com


Disclaimer:

Only securities and advisory services offered through Wall Street Financial Group, Inc. Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Norumbega Financial and Wall Street Financial Group, Inc., are separate entities, independently owned and operated.

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