Social Media and You

What is social media and why you should care?

According to Wikipedia social media includes web-based and mobile technologies used to turn communication into interactive dialogue.

Who’s connected?

• Raise your right hand if you have a Facebook profile

• Raise your left hand if you have a Linkedin profile

• Stand up if you have a Twitter profile

If you have created profiles in these social media platforms and interact over them, you’re a step ahead of the game!

Social media is about connecting with people. 

These connections can be personal and/or business. Connections can start in person or digitally. You can use social media for private connections or invite the public to participate. Ultimately it is about branding yourself and/or your business as experienced, knowledgeable, and invite others to make a commitment to you or your business with referrals and/or purchases.

Who do you represent…(business, product, personal connection)

People want to know who you are as a person, a company, and details about your product or service before they purchase. Buyers are coming to the Internet first before they pick up the phone or come to your store front as hand held digital devices and Internet connections become more common place. Even employers want to know the kind of person they are hiring and go to social media to find out.

Integrate multiple social media platforms to tell your story in one cohesive website. 

In fact all your marketing materials from your logo, brochure, business card, print ads, etc. should be pointing the public to interact with you and/or your business. If you can use Microsoft Office or use email, you can at minimum create a Google place for customers to find your business. If you know someone job hunting, I highly recommend they consider a comprehensive online presence for themselves personally as in a Linkedin profile. 

The current top three social media platforms, in no particular order are:

Facebook.com/TheConciergeOfficeSuites

LinkedIn.com/company/the-concierge-office-suites

Twitter.com/ConciergeLevel

Questions to ask to help determine which social media platform(s) would be best.

There are hundreds of social media platforms and some may be more suited to your business, skill level, publicity exposure, product, service or address industry regulations better than another. Here are some questions to ask to help determine what type of profile(s) work best:

• How integrated do you want your connections to be?

• What is the best way to educate and interact with potential clients or those that might refer your business?

• Is your business a service or a product? 

• What is the best way to underscore your experience or business…words, pictures, video, audio or would a combination be better?

Ultimately, the whole function of social media is to brand you as the "go to" person in the market place for whatever you're known for doing or providing. 

Myths about social media

• There's a "wrong" social media platform to use.

• Once your profile is set up in a platform, hours of work a week of interaction are required.

• Social media is just a waste of time.

These three statements are WRONG. All social media is worth the effort, especially if you can include your website link. Just a post or two a day would benefit you/your business, but don’t become a “bully pulpit” actually interact. Social media will help build your reputation online, which may bring your next job, a new customer, or help spread the word about your product or service.

Looking for work space with diversity in Chattanooga, TN?

The Concierge Office Suites truly is diverse:

• In demographics: women and men. 
• In serving all colors of skin - every color of the rainbow (black, white, brown, teal, red, and more – for those with tattoos).
• In stratosphere of revenue generating businesses that have grown beyond incubation.
• In age group from 26 to 70+.
• In language spoken by our clients: English, Spanish, and more.

This diversity has grown in depth and breadth, especially over the last five years. The reason for this diversity is because we meet businesses “right where they are.” We’re not an incubator, although our clients are able to grow because they have service options to encourage growth. We’re not a financial investor, we offer support services at reasonable rates to meet our clients where they are financially. Our clients pick and choose what works for them, when it works for them.

Our full-service office business center offers a place to sustain your business and experienced in doing this since 1995. We provide office work and meeting space along with virtual staff support options that increase or decrease as our client’s needs change. Come experience a diverse work space at The Concierge Office Suites.

Virtually the Office in the Middle

Your virtual office at The Concierge Office Suites is the office “in between”:

• Post office box or established business street address.
• Business launch or sustainable business.
• Hourly, half-day or full-day work space.
• First floor banking and top floor private fine dining club.
• Home office or private office in the central business district.
• Public or private client meeting spaces.
• Self-serve or full-service coffee service.
• Long-term or month-to-month business commitment.
• Working alone or gaining business connections.
• Traditional business restrictions or flexible freedom to grow.

A virtual office can become a step to bridge perception to reality. Many businesses are asking how can we gain more “bang for our buck”? The answers may be found in virtual office flexible service options.

A virtual office at The Concierge Office Suites offers an established business street address with versatile business options. Experience a professionally staffed lobby; access to a business center with color copier/scanner/fax and postage meter; access to board room, conference room or day office; public access wi-fi upon request; beverage service; networking opportunities; and much more. Come grow with us.

What to do before you’re given a layoff notice...

While you have a job is when you need to start thinking about your next job. Your resume is your work, educational and volunteer history. Put your best document forward. Keep notes about your:

• Career accomplishments and recognition.
• Volunteer or civic contributions.
• Continuing education, certifications, and licenses.

All this adds value to you as an employee. Ask yourself, how can I rise to the top of the list of applicants? Do it and document it.

Do you realize all the people who know you? Who do they know that might be your next employer? Are you networking? Finding your next job is all about connecting. Connecting can happen in person and digitally. What tools are you using to extend your reach? Here are some ideas:

• Have your resume professionally developed. It’s your one chance to get your foot in the door.
• Post your work experience online through Linkedin.com. It’s free! Check out: What is LinkedIn.
• Create some personal calling cards with your name, home address, personal cell phone number(s), and Linkedin.com profile, so people can see what your contributions to their team might be.
• Idea Factory Friday, a Jelly! Chattanooga, event offers free coaching, wi-fi and coffee to help develop your social media profiles. Bring your laptop, calling cards, and resume to get better connected.

Take time to give back to your community. This will help your community, and make some new connections. Job hunting now is extremely competitive. These beginner steps will get you to the top.

Wanting to be a finalist for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards?

The bottom line to becoming a contender for the Small Business Awards is consistent, good small business practices for a minimum of three consecutive years. Once you meet the minimum requirements of this award, the judges are looking for:

• A professional nomination submission.
• A neat, organized material packet.
• A well written and organized business story highlighting your firm’s best attributes.
• Your business’s story about positively impacting other small businesses.
• How you’ve energized your employees with training and community impact initiatives.
• Consistency in growth financially and in quantity of employees.

This award offered by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce provides business exposure. As a finalist, get promoted to the public by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Be introduced during Business After Hours
• Be highlighted during the awards ceremony by being called to the stage in front of 1000+ guests
• Have your business highlighted in video during the ceremony and online afterwards

Don’t be afraid to benchmark and brainstorm with previous finalists and winners. Most finalists would be honored you chose them as mentors for your small business. Check out the Chamber’s web site for the current finalists.

Hope these tips inspire you and your business team to consider planning for your nomination for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards.