When you create a profile on a social media network or platform, you need to make sure that you fill in the profile as completely as you can. To be honest I hate doing it too because some fo them have some areas that I feel are not necessary. However, I can see the benefit in them because it is all about connecting.

Here are a few tips about creating your social media profiles.

• If you get tired of filling in the profiles, then just save the information to your computer and copy and paste. It can be as difficult or as hard as you choose to make it.
• Add a picture. There is nothing like seeing your smiling face.
• Consider your audience. Try not to be self-centered in your profile.
• Don’t put too many links and turn people off. Self-promotion is important but so is subtlety
• Make sure that your brand is apparent. There is nothing worse than a person coming to your site, expecting to see one thing and you show them something totally different.

Your profile is an important part of your business. So don’t neglect it.

Image via Wikipedia

There are many who others perceive as Social Media Experts. In my opinion, the only social media experts are those who put the software and platforms together and make them work. I will never call myself an expert but I will say that I am social savvy.

Being savvyt means being innovative, wise, able to understand what is going on and to be well informed about what it is you claim to know.

There are many people out that who fit that definition. Not because they know it all but they know how to use what they do know and make it work for them. In-other-words, they know how to communicate well and how to get their target market to hear what they have to say.

Your social media success depends on how you communicate what you know. Not everyone communicates on the same level – but everyone can communicate.  Yes, some are better than others but no matter what, everyone has something to say.

Maybe you need to learn how to say it the right way. If this is the case there are many ways to learn how to communicate more effectively.

Here is an example. On Facebook it took me some time to find my groove but I love it now. I found a way to communicate with my market by simply asking an eye-opening question of the day. That’s it and it works well for me.

Today’s tip is about helping you not to be intimidated by those who ways they are Social Media Experts. Instead take the time to find your path to effective communication on the social media platforms you belong to. Experiment and tweak to find what works best for your authentic connection to your market.

How do you communicate?

The bottom line for most business owners is to earn money. Money is often accumulated through the of a particular product or service. However, to sell that product or service business owners need to alert the general public. Customer cannot buy a product or a service if they do not know that it exists. That is why, as a business owner, you need to advertise your business.

When it comes to advertising there are many business owners who literally cringe. The reason they cringe is because many of the advertising methods cost money. While it is good to spend a little to make a little, it would be even better if you are able to save by advertising for nothing. There are ways to promote your business and the products or services that you sell without having to spend any money at all.

Is your curiosity peaked yet?

One of the ways that you can promote your online business, without having to spend a dime, is by using something that is readily available online. That thing is an online social networking. A large number of internet users, in fact millions of them, belong to at least one social networking group.

When it comes to social networking,many people think of online friendships or online relationships. Yes, these are very common but many online marketers know that there is power in participating in social networking groups. In fact, it was through doing business online that social networking got it start.

If you are a small business owner, especially one that operates an online business or is trying to give your business a strong online presence, there is a way that you can use social networking sites to your advantage.

There are networking sites that are designed for business owners. These websites will not only allow you to share your business information with other business owners, but it will also allow you to develop close relationships with those that share an interest that is similar to yours. Essentially, this means that you could not only learn valuable business information, but you could also walk away with a new business partner or client.

Image via CrunchBase

If it is your goal to start social networking, be sure that you target networks that fit your needs and desires. This is why having a plan is so important. Writing down your social media marketing plan is a good way to guage which groups you join and which ones are just not for you. Many places like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Ning and even MySpace are helping business owners share their expertise, gain a following, and increase their income potential.

By joining a social networking website, especially one that is popular and has a large number of members, you should be able to generate interest in your business, including the products or services that you sell.

If you have not discovered a place that suits you ask around, talk to a social media expert, and get in where you fit in.

When you get into Social Media for the first time it can be rather overwhelming. Blogging, twitter, forums, Facebook, Linked In, Flickr, Stumbleupon, Food Buzz, Ning, Myspace, and the list goes on. It just all seems to be a bit much; especially when you are new to the Social Media game.

How does one find their place in the realm of Social Media?

Easy! You need to get in where you fit in, determining what your goals are, know where your audience is, and learn how to use your chosen platforms effectively. And get this, you don’t have to be all over the place to saturate your name on the internet. All you need to do it hook up with a group of like-minded people who are all about connections, helping others, love what your business represents and word about your business will spread like wildfire.

Let’s look at the keys I mentioned more closely.

1. Get in where you fit in. The bottom line is that not every social media platform is for you. Some people love Myspace and swear that is works for them. Others love Facebook or Twitter and make that same die hard statement about their chosen platform working for them. You know why is works for them? Because they found a place that fits their goals for using Social Media that also works with their personality. So, in essence you have to find a place that fits you. There is no other way to say it.
2. What are your goals? You have to determine why you need or want to get into Social Media and Networking. If you are doing it for business, marketing, or ministry purposes you need to be very strategic. Just remember in being strategic you still need to be relational. The new marketing strategy is all about relating to your audience. So sit down determine what your goals are and how you plan to use Social Media to help you with increasing your bottom line.
3. Know where your audience is. In discovering your audience you must first know your target. What is your bull’s eye? You cannot join Twitter looking for homeschoolers and follow only Internet Marketers. I am not saying that you should not follow people outside of your chosen niche, but you do need to make sure that you are hitting your target in your social networking efforts.
4. Learn to use your chosen platforms. With most Social Media platforms, there is no way to mess it up unless you hit “delete my profile”. The most you will do is use an application wrong. Now if you have a blog and you want to play with code, please be careful because you can mess that up big time. Find a professional to help you with that if you are not familiar with it. For the most part you can play with Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and others to see how they work. But if you feel uncomfortable walking uncharted territory just find a Social Media Consultant/VA to help you on your way.

These four keys are very important in your Social Media journey. I for one only use a few chosen platforms: Stumbleupon, Twitter, blogging, podcast, Facebook (sparingly as I am still trying to get it), and Ning. I just don’t have the time to be all over the place and it really does not increase my bottom line at all.

Take the time to map out your ideas with a Social Media Consultant/VA or on your own by studying the various platforms available.You will find that by going forward with a plan will help your endeavors all the more.

Thank you for stopping by the Social Savvy VA’s launch day and weekend of fun. I am LaTara Ham-Ying, your hostess and the owner of Social Savvy VA. I am very excited to offer services that fit your social media and networking needs. As a specialized Virtual Assistant I want to be able to help the home or small business owner who may not know much about this thing we call Social Media and the new business owner who just may not know where or how to start.

There is definitely a lot to learn about this fairly new, ever changing concept and together I am sure we can learn a great deal.

I won’t bore you too long with the what my goals are and all that because you can find out more about why I started this business here. What I would like to do is have a little fun today and all weekend long.  Are you up for that?

If you are, then check out this cool launch contest I am having until Monday December 15th. It is really simple and won’t cost you a dime…REALLY! Maybe a little of your time but none of your money.

I am going to give 5 people a chance to try one of my services at no cost to them. See I told ya, no money involved. But in order to win, you have to spend a little time playing a few Social Networking Games. Over the weekend I will have 5 games that you can participate in and I will let you know what the prize is. Out of those with the correct answers, I will choose a winner. The winners will be announced on Tuesday December 16th.

There is one more little hitch to the weekend fun. In order to be qualified for winning, you need to sign up for the RSS feed and if you sign up for the newsletter or Twitter about the launch using the hashtag #ssone, I will add your name into the hat twice. If you do all three, I will add your name to the hat three times.

If you are on Twitter, leave your twitter name when you comment so that I can follow you and everyone can see who you are!

Let’s get ready to have some fun. Look for the games to post throughout the weekend and tell-a-friend!

To play the first game click here.

**Please note that with the holidays in our sites all prizes will be redeemable in January 2009.