Participate in Social Sites...I'm Telling You...

by Fashionmista aka That IT Girl, Spammy Scammers, and Katie James

We've already had this discussion, and some of you were understandably concerned about wasting time in these social sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace if it suits you, blogs, StumbleUpon, etc.. I maintained to keep track of your actions, and cut out what isn't working. Ask yourself questions like "Is your website getting traffic from the source?" If not, are you gaining friends or followers, who could get exposure to your products or services in other creative ways? Or is the whole thing just a bust and you cringe to think about it. If you have the cringe factor, then re-evaluate your approach, or abandon ship.

But I've got to tell you, I was checking my Facebook, an action I try not to do every day, and after signing up for and playing a bit of The Oregon Trail, I checked one of the emails in my Inbox (my Facebook inbox...I call it Face-mail). It was from a guy I didn't know. Suspect? Yes. Curious? Yes. Turns out he's a reporter from the Wall Street Journal doing a story on the writers' strike. I support the writers' right to potentially lucrative money from online content. However, I was quite excited when Jon Stewart was coming back. I also want the crew to have work. So I watched. I was disappointed in the way Jon addressed the strike. I visited the Jon Stewart Daily Show Facebook Page, of which I'm a Facebook "Fan," and declared my views on the Wall, and suggested we all "unfan" the Page until he either goes back off the air (because it does weaken the strike) or brings more awareness.

Thus, I got contacted by this journalist as one of many who may be in his piece on the strike, The Daily Show, Letterman and Leno. Afterwards, he asked about what I did, I quietly gave my web and blog sites which he took. So, set up your own luck, folks.

Comments

[Madeline]

I have a myspace account and I feel that it works great for me. I'm a hair and make-up artist and an agency that represents celebrity photographers contacted me about a potential job. It does work.

[Jennifer Moore @ Pink Heels]

For those who are hesitant to sign-up for groups like Facebook or MySpace, I highly recommend linking up with businesses virtually that are similar to your business. For instance, Pink Heels has a web link on three women-owned business web sites. In return, I offer a link back to their site. I have generated a tremendous amount of traffic through this approach. Of course, I would not recommend developing a link-to-link relationship unless you believe in their business. Essentially, your link is viewed as an endorsement and it is important to ensure quality to maintain the integrity of your business.