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Are there any Social Media experts?
In a word, no.
Are really good ideas, approaches, and lessons being shared by those who can type on a keyboard the size of two postage stamps while walking and chewing gum without running into a wall — people who engage in networking via the latest and greatest technology we have to offer?
Yes.

Circulating on the great www, is a graphic below called "The Conversation" that colorfully fans out the Social Media sphere. It’s beauty is that it allows us to know what we don’t know. Even as I type it is in flux.

click to enlarge

So, as a business owner should you hop online and start writing?
Probably, but read this first.

Here are 10 things (out of way more than 10) to consider.

1. The marvelous thing about Social Media tools is that they allow you to connect on a human level, be more personal, open up and toss off the stogy cloak of corporate culture.
   
   
2. Have a strategic plan: learn what your audience is reading, where to post, how often you need to be online to read and generate content. Talk to your marketing department. This takes time and you should embrace flexibility since opportunities grow daily. This is not a list of stuff to get done and move on; it is another very real and active business tool to integrate.
   
   
3. Be relevant and offer value whether you choose to YouTube it or Blog or write on the FaceBook wall.. Obvious selling is annoying. Write with passion and generate compelling content. It will take some time to find an appropriate voice for your brand. You will automatically become the company ambassador and will be the voice of others in your organization. Trust is imperative.
   
   
4. Never let yourself get into an argument. This is about cementing relationships, not cyber brawling. You will look bad no matter who threw the first remark.
   
   
5. If a negative comment is posted about your company, ask yourself if it might be true. If it is, use this as an opportunity to discuss how something could have been handled differently or improve a product or service, even extend an apology.
   
   
6. Don’t get cute with your name, especially for a business, it is counterproductive. Use a picture of yourself vs. a picture of your building or logo. People will actually feel silly typing to a building or blue squiggle.
   
   
7. All advertising benefits from word-of-mouth, so third party endorsements via Social Media tie-ins are a natural for any call-to-action campaigns.
   
   
8. Online campaigns should make it easy to link to where you are in the Social Media sphere, stick in an icon or word link. It follows that where you are in the Social Media sphere should be where your campaign is directed. It’s a nice circle.
   
   
9. You will make mistakes, learn from them. Read thrice and post once. You will NEVER get it back. It will go through 30 routers before you can say….
   
   
10. For news releases there are similar sets of dos and don’ts, but basic PR 101 still applies. News = “Who What When Where Why How and Controversy.” Sales = “New widget on sale for a limited time only.” Reporters do not care if you want to make money unless you got caught stealing.
    

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