This document provides an introduction to social media and how businesses can establish an online presence using platforms like blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Digg. It defines each platform, provides examples of how businesses can use each one, and emphasizes creating original, engaging content to connect with customers and establish expertise in their industry. The key platforms discussed are blogs for regularly sharing content; LinkedIn for professional networking; Twitter for real-time updates; and Digg for getting content recommendations. Participation on each network through posts, answers, and connections is recommended to build an online business presence.

1. Blog On, Link In, Twitter Out, and Digg It! An Introduction to Social Media and Business Presence

3. To introduce three of the major players

6. Blogs

7. Blogs A Blog is: A personal or corporate website in the form of an online journal, with new entries appearing in sequence as they are written, especially as dealing with reflections or opinion, and typically incorporating links to other articles.

8. Blogs There are two basic types of blogs: Those hosted as part of your websitehttp://www.mysite.com/blog/ Those hosted external from your website at sites like Blogger.comhttp:// mysite.blogger.com

9. Blogs Sample Blogs

10. Blogs Why would I use it: To keep current clients and attract new ones Can act as an FAQ on your product(s) or service(s) Well written + updated regularly = establishes you as an expert in your field

11. Blogs How would I use it: By writing brief, punchy posts on topics in your field To promote yourself, your products, services, and company By promoting it through other social media to further enhance your Business Presence

12. Blogs Establishing Business Presence: Ensure content is original, interesting, and timely Write from a position of authority / knowledge Use your logo and established branding

13. LinkedIn

14. LinkedIn

15. LinkedIn What is LinkedIn: A way to manage your online professional identity Stay connected with past / present colleagues, professional groups and organizations in your field Grow your network through the networks of those you know

16. LinkedIn Building your network:

17. LinkedIn Why would I use it: Stay connected with colleagues and events in and outside your field and local area Connect with other businesses to form partnership opportunities To attract new clients to your business

18. LinkedIn How would I use it: By searching for and joining groups By answering questions By connecting with new people through use of your network

19. LinkedIn Establishing Business Presence Start, join and participate in a group or discussion in your area or field Answer questions in your career area Expand your professional network by getting introduced to others

20. Twitter

21. Twitter

22. Twitter What is Twitter In its simplest terms Twitter allows you to say almost anything to anyone in 140 characters or less It is the “what’s on your mind right now” form of microblogging that permeates most modern social media

23. Twitter Why would I use it Get instant access to what’s being said, this minute, about your organization, people, products, or brand Get a steady stream of resources, links, and ideas in your industry Get your message out to millions easily and instantly

24. Twitter How would I use it Automatically tweet your new blog post Promote a new Product or service, share an interesting news item Looking for someone to collaborate with? If so, tweet it with a link to the details

25. Twitter Establishing Business Presence: Use Twitter to communicate not to sell Be authentic, be human, and have a sense of humor Once someone decides to follow your companies twitter account, follow them back. It show’s you’re listening

26. Digg

27. Digg

28. Digg What is Digg A social content site where members rate news stories, blog entries and items of interest in a specific field

29. Digg What you should know about Digg All content on Digg is community generated Members recommend an item by “digg”ing it The more “diggs” you have the more popular the item is

30. Digg Establishing Business Presence Be sure you “digg” your items under the right category Make sure to incorporate the digg widget into your blog posts Remember Digg isn’t just for blog posts, its also for videos and images

31. Questions?

32. The End

33. Resources LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreygrantallen Twitter http://twitter.com @FossilDesigns Digg http://digg.com

34. Resources Articles 15 Companies That Really get Corporate Blogging http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2008/08/08/15-companies-that-really-get-corporate-blogging/ Top 15 Corporate Blogs http://mariosundar.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/top-15-corporate-blogs-ranked-may-2008/ A Guide To Corporate Blogging http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/10/15/a-guide-to-corporate-blogging/

35. Where to Next? Develop a Social Media strategy for your business and stick with it Decide which forms of social media you want to use Start using them and getting a feel for them before you start to use them to promote

36. Blogs Top 5 Corporate Blogs of 2008: Google Adobe Flickr Facebook Yahoo! Search

37. Blogs Top 5 CEO Blogs: Jonathan Schwartz - President & CEO Sun Microsystems Scott Ragsdale - Founder and CEO, Naseba Mark Cuban - Owner, Dallas Mavericks Guy Kawasaki - CEO, Fog City Software (1993 – 1995) Craig Newmark - CEO, Craig’s List

38. Twitter Twitter Terminology Each message is called a “Tweet” People on twitter you interact with are your “Tweeps” (Twitter Peeps or Twitter People) Hashtags are words that start with an octothorpe or pound sign (#) #FollowFriday DM or Direct Message @ or “at me” RT or ReTweet