AIMC Marketing Tip - Why as a Business, You Need to be Active on Social Media -

When running a successful business, having an active presence on social media is essential. Social media allows you to reach potential customers, build relationships with existing ones, and establish a strong brand identity.

Why is it important to stay active on social media?

Strive to stay active and relevant with what you upload without flooding the newsfeed with inappropriate content. Frequent, relevant posts will reflect a positive and reliable image to your peers and help to enhance your credibility.

Bottom line, the five main benefits of social media are enhanced communication, networking opportunities, brand promotion, information sharing, and community building. Focus your social media strategy on these five main benefits, and you will experience the great benefit of social media for your business.

Video by AIMC Business Solutions - http://www.aimcbizsolutions.com

#socialmedia #smallbusiness

Why Building A Community on Social Media Is Essential

There’s a lot of noise on social media these days and to stand out you must connect, engage, and build a community. Marketing on social media has gone beyond just delivering your products and services to consumers. If you are trying to build your business on social media, you must create connections and experiences to build long term brand loyalty.

Here, we explore why social media community building is so important, what it looks like, and how to build your own.

WHAT ARE SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITIES?

Social media communities are groups of people who feel connected to your brand, which eventually leads to them becoming advocates for your brand.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BUILD A COMMUNITY?

80% of brands say that their community-building efforts have resulted in increased traffic. The time invested in fostering a quality social media community is very worthwhile. It creates advocates for your brand which in turn reduces the cost of your marketing efforts.

Some final tips -

- Create a Facebook Group with a great name.

- Use Hashtags with your content.

- Like, Comment, Share, Repost Great Content

- Educate and Give

Join our community at - http://www.aimcbizsolutions.com/massprofessionalnetworking

Enjoy our video - Why Building A Community on Social Media Is Essential

The Business Networking Toolkit – Cheat Sheet by Mass Professional Networking

 The Business Networking Toolkit – Cheat Sheet

By Jeffrey DeSocio – AIMC Business Solutions/Mass Professional Networking

Why is Professional Networking Important Today?

• Networking can help you start your own business, climb the career ladder.
• Networking is a long-term investment, leads to lifelong friendships.
• Business people that network are usually great positive influences to be around.
• Increase in confidence as you push yourself to talk & connect with new people.
• Expand you sphere of influence and practice & perfect talking about your business.
• Ask questions at business networking opportunities as a form of market research.
• You will meet people that you don’t normally come across in your everyday life.

PLAN - What to Do before the Networking Event:

•       Get your business cards ready

•       Eat first, since it is awkward eating food while socializing

•       Know your Goals and Purpose

•       Understand the Dress Code

•       Remember Everyone Is There for the Same Reason

•       Get Your LinkedIn Profile Ready to Network – All-Star LinkedIn Profile

o   Start with A Professional Profile Picture – Of Course!

o   Professional Header With Targeted Keywords

o   Concise Summary With Media Links

o   Don't Be Shy With Experience for each Job

o   Complete Education Section

o   Practical Examples & Recommendations

 

ACTION - What to Do at the Networking Event:

•       First, get to the event on-time

•       If you are shy, ask the host to help introduce you to people

•       When meeting someone, use eye contact and repeat their name

•       Ask questions, and do not pitch and/or have a roving eye

Questions to Ask To Engage in Conversation

What is your biggest professional accomplishment and how did you achieve it?

Who is your favorite business mentor, whether it is a colleague or a celebrity

What is your favorite business book, show or podcast?

What is your biggest challenge in business?

Who is your perfect client and who can I introduce you to?

What is your top marketing and networking strategy? 

What social media platform do you use the most to market your business?

What is your favorite business networking group? 

What other talents do you have?  For example, do you play a musical instrument?

FOLLOW-UP – What to Do after the Networking Event:

•       Send a “Nice To Meet You Email – Personalize it and mention something you chatted about.

•       Connect on LinkedIn and review profile in anticipation of a follow-up meeting.  

•       After initial meeting whether on phone or in person, set up your calendar to reconnect

•       Remember events such as birthdays and anniversa.ry events for business or career milestones.

•       Give Give Give First.   Be a resource forever for your new connection.

 

 

Need more guidance to kick-start your Business Networking?  

Ask us about the “Networking & Personal Branding Toolkit” by contacting us via email at jeff@aimcbizsolutions.com.   Also join Mass Professional Networking on LinkedIn and Facebook.

What are The Benefits of Building a Community via Professional Networking Events?

 Building a community through professional networking events offers several benefits:

1. Networking Opportunities: These events provide a platform to meet like-minded professionals, potential collaborators, mentors, and industry leaders. Networking can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, or career advancements.
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3. Knowledge Sharing: Professionals from various backgrounds come together at these events, offering diverse perspectives and insights. Discussions, panels, and presentations facilitate the exchange of ideas, best practices, and industry trends, fostering continuous learning and growth.

1. Career Development: Engaging with professionals in your field or industry can provide valuable career advice, guidance, and mentorship. Networking events often feature speakers who share their experiences and offer career tips, helping attendees navigate their career paths more effectively.
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3. Visibility and Brand Building: Attending and actively participating in networking events can enhance your visibility within your industry or profession. It's an opportunity to showcase your expertise, establish yourself as a thought leader, and promote your personal brand or company.
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6. Building Relationships: Networking events allow you to build genuine relationships with peers, clients, and potential collaborators. Strong professional relationships can lead to referrals, recommendations, and long-term partnerships, ultimately benefiting your career or business.
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8. Staying Informed: In rapidly evolving industries, networking events provide a valuable source of information about emerging trends, technologies, and market developments. Staying informed can help you anticipate changes, adapt quickly, and stay competitive.
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10. Support and Encouragement: Building a community through networking events provides a support system of like-minded individuals who understand the challenges and opportunities in your field. Sharing experiences, successes, and setbacks with peers can be encouraging and motivating.
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Overall, professional networking events offer a platform for professionals to connect, learn, collaborate, and support each other, contributing to individual growth and the collective advancement of the community.  Be sure to check out our Mass Professional Networking Group for future community events!

Old Friends, New Ways: A Special Fireside Chat With Jeffrey DeSocio

For the longest time, Boston New Technology and Jeff's companies and community building efforts have converged and happily met with a strong sense of common purpose. With a strong background in technology, networking, and marketing, Jeff pioneered much of what the events scene now considers quite ubiquitous. There's no surprise there, as Jeff is also an entrepreneur, avid connector, and marketer and is the founder of one of Greater Boston’s most successful professional networking organizations, Mass Professional Networking. He pivoted his career in 2022, to become a successful Managing Director - Technology at a Greater Boston-based Executive Search Firm, integrating his vast technology management & organizational knowledge and networking to help hypergrowth organizations connect with talented professionals. Lastly, Jef is also the owner of AIMC Business Solutions, a leading Digital Marketing and IT firm. Boston New Technology Co-Director Steve Vilkas will speak with Jeff about the history of those first few irons in the fire forged in those early days and, equally as importantly to the history, what the future-state is looking like as we consider everything from hybrid realities to the new expectations of business professionals.

Here is our fireside chat - 

The Top Ten Reasons Social Media is Good For You

 Social Media has been around for almost twenty years from the days of AOL and MySpace to the present days of TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.    The platform may have changed and become more powerful, but the concept of sharing content, collaboration and connection is the same.   

Sometimes there is the dark side of social media when the practicing the First Amendment has gone too far in a heated topic discussion or when information is shared for the wrong reasons.  But the positives outweigh the negatives by a long shot and today, especially with the recent pandemic forcing everyone online, Social Media is more popular and powerful than ever.

Think about it.   You come up with a funny video and put it on TikTok and hope for the best and find out you have 20k views in the first day.   Ed Sheeran comes out with a new song today, and it already has 3 million views in the first three hours.    You post great content about business and a huge influencer catches in their news feed and contacts you about an opportunity.   Finally, how about connecting to your best friend from high school after twenty years.

The above examples are possible with enough engagement on popular social platforms, but let's look at ten reasons Social Media is good for you and society today.

1. Social Media Helps in Building and Enhancing Communities 

2. Social Media Spreads Information Faster Than Any Other Media

3. Social Media allows People to Improve Their Relationships and Make New Connections/Friends

4. Social Media Helps Employers to Find Employees and Job-Seekers

5. Social Media is Good for the Economy.  Think any Online Business

6. Social Media Connects Isolated People

7. Social Media Allows for Rapid Communication During Emergency Events

8. Social Media can Facilitate Face-To-Face Interaction

9. Social Media Brings Experts together to Collaboration and Implement New Ideas

10. Social Media Has Made the World Small and Accessible 

How has Social Media helped you?  Let us know in the comments.

Here is a great YouTube Video called Social Media 101 - Build Your Personal Brand.  Check it out and take advantage of how Social Media can be good for you!  Avoid its dark side and you will notice your personal perception and influence prosper.    What will be next for social media?  One thing is, it will be exciting!