How can social media help my business? Part 2

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In Part 1 of this series, I suggested you look at your existing marketing content to see how you might re purpose this for social media.  We created 5 new pieces of content from your company’s Frequently Asked Questions. For Part 2, let’s work on what you can do with this new material.

Creating social media accounts  – its about people

Next, let assume that you aren’t currently on any social media site – you will have to create a couple of accounts at some social media sites.  Remember these are not anonymous business accounts.  Decide what staff person is interested and willing to participate on social media sites and is ready with your support to do this long term. Allocate a set amount of time each day or each week, create guidelines and policies for this individual that support your business goals.

1. Create accounts at Youtube.com, pitchengine.com, Ezine or doc.com, Slideshare.net, and Itunes.

2. Write and edit your article

3. Edit your video clip with free, simple video editing software. Windows Movie Maker and Flip Video editing software are both free products.

4. Build a PowerPoint presentation of less that 10 slides. use only 1 intro slide with contact info on it and repeat as first and last slide.

5. Create an audio file from the separate digital recording of the Q&A interview (should be done at the same time as the flip video recording.

Tips: Brand your video or slide set with a title, your website and contact info to the beginning and end of clip/presentation. Also make sure you introduce each person in the audio recording prior to the interview so you capture that in sound.

Add appropriate content to social media sites

1. Post article on enews sites, pitchengine.com, event on your website, trade website, online news site and local news paper.

2. Post video on Youtube.com and your website/blog.  Share the link with your connections.

3. Upload audio to Itunes.com in the podcast category. Share with your connections.

4. Add the PowerPoint slides to Slideshare.net.  Share with your connections.

Tip:  Make sure you use the tag features for each social media site.  This is especially important for the video, audio and slide content.

Then make sure your customers know about this free information by

• Send email out to your mailing list giving them the links to wherever you posted content.
• Update your status on any active social media sites.
• Ask every employee at the company (and yes, they are on social media) to do the same.

For traditional marketing efforts, add the link into your next print newsletter, add as note in your invoices, add as signature in your emails and on any letters.

Next month, pick another piece of marketing material, previous article or interview and start the process over again.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 5 Solid Free Video Editors (rotorblog.com)
• Edit and mix videos online with JayCut (en.onsoftware.com)
• HyperEngine – The Best Free Movie Editing Software for Mac (makeuseof.com)
• Windows Live Movie Maker Leaves Beta, Ready for Download [Downloads] (lifehacker.com)

Related posts:

1. How can social media help my business? Part 1
2. Why I am Thankful for Social Media – Business Relationships Part 3
3. Reality check for Twitter and Business Use – Part 2
4. Reality Check for Twitter and Business Use – Part 3
5. Why I am Thankful for Social Media – Friend Relationships Part 2