If you are a small business owner, and you either A) don’t engage much in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc.), or at all, or B) have (a) social media account(s), but don’t have a clue how you could use social media for business, read on!

The most important thing about social media is that it is … social.

“Duh!” you say. Surprisingly, though, many social media marketers are still not paying attention to this one critical word.

In an earlier post, we explained that Facebook is a party. Let’s explore that idea a little more. Forget social media for a second. Just how would you behave if you were trying to accomplish business goals at a party?

Would you:

A) Engage in conversations that have to do with your area of expertise,
OR
B) Tell yourself that this is a party and you don’t want to talk about business?

A) Offer free advice to people as you talk with them,
OR
B) Keep your mouth shut, thinking people ought to pay for the privilege of talking to you about your service area?

A) Casually offer your card to someone who expressed a need for your services,
OR
B) Wave them off like you don’t care where they do business?

The answer to all those questions should be “A”, ABSOLUTELY ALWAYS “A”. Why? Because as a small business owner you can’t afford to miss out on any opportunities, and you can’t afford to be unlikeable either.

Social media is being at a party and on the clock at the same time. This simple concept should be at the heart of everything you do professionally on social media. Engage in conversations, answer questions freely, be inviting, and you will reap the rewards.