How To Market Your Professional Service Business Using Social Media
In recent years, Social Media has become an effective way to promote your professional service business. Building a brand has never been easy, but it is vital for the long term success of your business. Accounting, marketing and management consulting professionals must establish a brand of trust and professionalism to succeed. Mass marketing techniques are generally too costly or do not effectively reach the targeted decision makers. In the past, effective marketing options for professional service firms were limited to referrals, writing journal articles and networking at professional association meetings. These options are still used but the limited audience makes it difficult to reach new clients. Social media is a new and exciting way for accounting, marketing and management consulting professionals to reach decision makers.
Social media websites (Facebook, Linkedin, Schmoozii, etc.) provide accountants, marketing and management consulting professionals a new way to reach potential clients. Branding in this type of media outlet must be done correctly. Here are five tips to building your brand using Social Media.
1. Pick the correct site. There are hundreds of networking sites online ranging from special interest, to social, to professional. You want to pick a site that focuses on your profession to increase your chances of reaching your target client.
2. Establish yourself as an expert by providing free information. Most networking sites available today have discussion forums. These are areas where prospective clients ask questions, read the questions that are asked and answer with an expert opinion. When participating in a discussion forum, do not promote your business, but instead present yourself as an expert. You will not only establish credibility with the person that asked the question, but also with the others reading the question.
3. Maintain a complete and up to date profile. This is your business card and your resume presented to prospective clients. Prospective clients will see your activity in the discussion form and visit your profile. If there was ever a time where first impressions matter, this is it.
4. Join groups and create groups which allow you to network. Five years ago, networking on social networking sites was a waste of time unless you were 14 years old. Times have changed with the invention of professional networking sites. These sites are filled with decision makers ranging from CEO of SME to Vice Presidents of Fortune 500 companies. Joining online groups is a fantastic way to bump into one of these major players.
5. Have fun! Most of these sites have professional level content (articles, blogs) to help you learn about your profession. They are meant to be fun and engaging with maximum participation. Do not be afraid to voice your opinion (in a professional manner of course).
Give it a shot! If you are an accounting, marketing or management consulting professional then try Social Media marketing. Next time you are looking for new customers, join one of the social media/networking sites that focus on your profession. Establish your brand name and do not be surprised when you have customers knocking at your door.
Related Tags: finance, small business, marketing, networking, sales, accounting, facebook, linkedin
Theron Nolen is the founder of Schmoozii (www.schmoozii.com), a portal for accounting, finance, marketing, sales, and small business professionals, complete with articles, discussions, groups, jobs, and networking by profession. Members from AMA, Chamber of Commerce, & AICPA. Join 4 Free! Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- 5 Reasons That a Restaurant Should Use a Restaurant Recruiter
Have you ever noticed how many restaurants pop-up over time but then disappear just as quickly? Runn - Does Money Motivate?
Some say money can't buy happiness, but data shows that for those who can barely pay the monthly bil - Because Workforce Friendly Policies Payoff
Employer-sponsored wellness programs are becoming more popular as companies strive to maintain a hea - EAP Value
Life would be simpler if we could set aside our personal issues and emotional baggage when the workd - Hiring an Expert SEO Company to Improve Your Online Business
Search Engine Optimization or SEO Services are used to make your website or online business popular - Why Safety Training at Workplace is Important
Safety training at workplace should be one of the top priorities of your business. An effective safe - Team Building: Brain and Sweat to Attain Company's Central Goal
Are you one of those employees branded ineffective and unproductive? Reasons might be the sense of d - Security Alarm System
It is a must that houses and offices install a security alarm when we speak about safety reasons. Se - Workplace Safety Tips
When we speak of safety based on books, its importance is next to food. It is essential to all indiv - The Benefits Of Lease-to-own Properties
One of the hit real estate investments today is to buy properties that will later be put up as "leas
Most viewed articles in this category:
- A Map Mural for Your Business
Yay! That retail store you've been planning has finally opened its doors and you are officially in b - Attracting Customers Through An Improved Shopping Experience
So many new shopping malls and supermarkets are put up every year. Many more are already in business - "To Oz!": Leading a Resilient-High Achievement Organization
One of my favorite movies is "The Wizard of Oz" based on the book by Frank Baum. The story is about - 5 Critical Items Never to be Included in Cost Benefit Analysis
When dealing with decisions using Cost Benefit Analysis techniques it is very important to follow th - Collaboration and Change
I’m an expert on change and leadership, but my most popular speaking topic this past year, and - Workplace Gap
In your workplace, are you a manager with a smart group of people and they aren't responsive to your - Leadership - The Proper Relationship with Subordinates
In the army, "the men" are kept separated from those known as "the officers." This comes from the id - The 10 Most Asked Questions of Cost Benefit Analysis
When dealing with decisions using Cost Benefit techniques it is very important to follow the proven - Cubicle Space Planning
Space planning is an essential element of any project and efficient planning serves the dual purpose - Why Passenger Surveys are a Transport Operators Best Friend
Public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple b