Guest post by Beth DeMilt, social media manager & copywriter

In today’s fast-paced economy, most consumers prescribe to the “I want it now” mentality. As a business owner, it is your job to do what you can to give your clients what they want in a timely manner. In order to do this, you have to open up the lines of communication and be readily available to hear feedback, perform services, and get input from the public. Enter Social Media.

Websites like Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, and Tumblr provide the platform that you need to reach your current client base and increase the potential of expanding to new customers. Even if you have never visited Twitter or get heart palpitations when you think about making a Facebook page, it is important to brave the waters and find a way to incorporate Social Media into your business plans. Keep reading to see how to get started:

Twitter Is the Word

Millions of tweets travel through the Twitterverse on a daily basis. If you are new to the world of Twitter, one of your first priorities should be to follow as many people, businesses, and associations as possible. Many Twitter users follow you back when you start to follow them. The more followers you can get for your account the better chance you have of using Twitter to expand your business potential.

Once you have a solid base of followers, it is important to actively Tweet and retweet. Whether you post a company update, retweet a relevant post from someone you follow, or share an interesting article that pertains to your business, staying active is essential. Familiarize yourself with hash tags (#) and trending topics to get the most out of your Twitter account. Just remember, Twitter posts are limited to 140 characters or fewer, which includes punctuation and spaces.

The Corporate Appeal of Facebook

Facebook’s “like” button has revolutionized the way that businesses can communicate with their intended audience. Once you build up a fan base, you can encourage your fans to use the like button to tell you what they like and give their opinion on new services they would like to see.

Just like on Twitter, you should start your foray into Facebook by liking as many businesses, associations, and public figures as possible. Encourage your customers to like your business and post frequently. Updates on the business, pictures, videos, and links to outside sources can help build your fan base and improve your Facebook persona. Try to keep your Facebook posts to 210 characters or fewer for optimal viewing potential.

A Little Bit of Influence

If you post a link to an article on your blog or put up an infographic, it is a good idea to reach out to an influencer who might be willing to share this information with their fans. If you are posting an article about salon services, for example, try to search for cosmetology schools or associations. When you reach out to these influencers, you have to use the @sign on both Twitter and Facebook.

Try not to use the same influencers more than once, however, or they will be less likely to share your posts. Once you get your pages going, it is important to stay active so you can communicate freely with the public and enhance your business.

Beth DeMilt writes copy and manages social media accounts for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Find her on LinkedIn or at bethdemilt.com.