Benefits of social networking in business

Benefits of social networking in business

Social networking was once the domain of people looking for friendship on the internet, but savvy businesses have also begun to realize the value of linking up with others through the wide variety of networks that are springing up almost daily. They have learned to enjoy the ease with which they can keep in touch with clients, suppliers, and a host of others. In fact, there are now sites that cater specifically to businesses. Social networking benefits to business are many; here are just a few, and how they can help you.

These days, any company that uses computers (which are most) is likely to have employees who are familiar with social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and so on. However, this doesn’t mean that every business with computer savvy employees actually utilizes social media to its full potential, which is incredibly unfortunate considering that many platforms are completely free for any person or business to use.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the uses and benefits to effectively utilizing social media in the workplace.

>>Networking<<

And who could forget the one social media site that every company should really be on (or at the very least their Human Resources department)?: Linkedin. The platform is perfect for connecting businesses with professionals in or interested in a particular industry. It’s like Craigslist for companies, including a means of finding and recruiting employees.

Social media truly has the power to bring a business together through both informal and formal means of communication. It also brings out a method of sharing ideas between employees and employers that could improve the company overall. And that’s just the beginning. When it comes to businesses and social media, think outside the box.

>>Marketing<<

Free marketing is the most common reason that businesses join social media. For instance, a business can offer deals to those that like their page on Facebook and, simultaneously, run various Twitter contests to engage current followers and attract new ones. Social media marketing is so important because it gives businesses direct access to both current and potential customers, allowing them to answer questions, showcase their brand, spread information and address issues in a conversational format.

In addition, it also adds a bit of personality to a business, allowing a company’s voice to shine through. As such, businesses need to be sure that whoever is in charge of updating their social networks conveys the right tone and is consistent with the company’s brand messaging. Businesses should also keep in mind that social media marketing is widely considered a form of public relations or even human resources, based on the informative and always updating nature of the medium.

>>Inter-office Communication<<

Businesses can also utilize social media as a quick and effective internal communication tool. For instance, creating a Facebook group page for employees is a great way to promote a fun company culture, as employees can announce events, upload photos and talk in an informal, yet respective manner. Google+ can be helpful for both communicating internally and with clients because it has a hangout platform that allows users to hold meetings through face to face video or voice chats. Similarly, Skype enables employees to instant message each other or host conference calls, video conferences or even webinars.

There are also project collaboration software social platforms designed for creating ‘projects’ that employees can task to specific people in the same way that Google docs allows for sharing. Some popular ones worth checking out include MangoApps and Zoho Projects.

>>Which Networks are Best for Businesses?<<

Although the ever-popular services like Myspace and Facebook have quite a few businesses with well-developed pages, they are mostly for social contacts, artists, social causes, and bands. Those who want more professional connections often turn to LinkedIn, Tribe, and Ryze. 

These services will work best for those who create the most complete and targeted online identity. For instance, if you are a professional freelance editor but have a page full of information about your accomplished children, you may miss a lot of opportunity. Of course you are proud of your children, but they probably will not get you gigs. So stick to business.

One of the ways to make the most of your social networking page is to hire an online marketing company to create and maintain it. That way it stays professional, up to date, and has enough of the right material on it to make an impact and improve your search engine rankings.

>>Video<<