Using Web 2.0 to promote your business

Technology has changed the way businesses interact with clients and prospects. We are now moving into a Web 2.0 era. As research shows, Web 2.0 allows users to participate in the web through applications like social-networking sites, video-sharing sites, and blogs. If you are not using Web 2.0 to enhance your presence, you may want to consider adding this to your business model.

Let’s take a look at some of the applications that are being used by various businesses.

Skype
An up and coming piece of software is Skype. Skype is a Voice over the Internet (VoIP) software application and service individuals can use to communicate via computer. Businesses are relying more on this software to conduct video calls with staff in various locations. Some businesses and entrepreneurs are also using Skype to provide music lessons, cooking lessons, and information sharing just to name a few ways.

YouTube
Another great piece of software businesses are using to leverage their visibility is YouTube. Playing for Change Foundation is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world. They visited countries like Bethlehem, Palestine, Barcelona, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland. Using multimedia technology, they pieced various video of musicians playing several songs (one being a famous Ben A. King classic “Stand By Me”). This organization has captured a new and captive audience using multimedia technology.

The company YouTube did something similar earlier this year. They conducted the first ever auditions through YouTube for individuals around the world to be a part of the YouTube Symphony in April 2009. There were 3,000 musicians who auditioned and 96 winning players were selected to perform at Carnegie Hall.

Research indicates:
- The average user spends about 30 minutes viewing videos.
- 20 – 30% of usage is within the U.S.

Facebook
Facebook is another forum businesses are using to establish a presence with clients and prospects around the world. Here are some prime examples of how businesses are using this social network to capture clients:

- Photographers share pictures from their portfolios.
- Nonprofit organizations promote various causes and events.
- Fashion designers share their designs.
- Graphic designers promote projects from their portfolios.

Many companies are starting to incorporate some of these Web 2.0 applications into their business model. As you can see, technology can enhance the visibility of your business.

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Reggie Waller is the president of RWJ Consulting Group a provider of business and personal coaching, consulting and training services to individuals and businesses. For additional information call 267-254-6800 or visit RWJ Consulting Group

Entrepreneurs Need Social Networking

Dan Schawbel, a leading expert in social networking and a Gen-Y branding expert, explains what business owners need to know about the trend.

Entrepreneurs are busy spending time trying to run the various components of their businesses. Some may not have the knowledge to run a successful social networking campaign, that's why you should look to take on a social networking expert to fill this gap.

In my article Social Networking: Five benefits for businesses, I discuss the importance of positioning your company and being involved in one social network.

Read the full article "Entrepreneurs Need Social Networking".

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Reggie Waller is president of RWJ Consulting Group, LLC, which provides business and personal coaching, consulting and training services to individuals and businesses. For additional information call 267-254-6800 or visit RWJ Consulting Group

Social Networking: Five benefits for businesses

Mention the word Social networking and the first thing that comes to mind for most people is teens using Myspace and YouTube. Social networking has evolved beyond these two websites making sites such as LinkedIn, FaceBook and XING common places. Social Networking is no longer a teen phenomenon.

- LinkedIn states that its site includes profiles of more than 25 million professionals, with 25 new members joining every minute every day.

- comScore Video Metrix conducted research and found that in December 2007, YouTube had 77.6 million viewers who watched 3.2 billion videos.

“Like traditional networking, the most effective networking centers on building relationships, engaging others, and developing solid word-of-mouth marketing” said Patrice-Anne Rutledge author of Profiting from Social Networking.

Here are some of the benefits of implementing social networking for your business:

Advertise products and services: Don’t have a large marketing budget. Social Networking is a cost-effective approach for businesses operating on a tight budget or even looking to use another medium. The NFL used Myspace during the 2007 and 2008 Superbowl to showcase the commercials. Viewers were able to post comments on their favorite or not so favorite commercial. This type of medium can be a great spring board for you to showcase new products and services that you might be contemplating.

Market research: Companies study customer behaviors and purchasing patterns. Social networking lets you conduct your own market research with existing and potential customers. A great website to track what customers are saying is Yelp! (www.yelp.com) “Real Reviews, Real People.” Customers have a chance to provide views on services rendered from various industries which include spas, hotels and travel, restaurants, real estate and professional services.

Recruiting: Social networking allows you to reach out to individuals you may have never had access to before. Businesses are utilizing sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to recruit employees. This is an outstanding and cost-effective tool to not only recruit employees, but also engage potential partner’s investors and distributors.

Information sharing with fellow contacts: Are you an expert in your field or industry? Sites like LinkedIn enable you to ask and answer questions related to your industry and just share information with professional contacts.

Video and Audio Podcasts: Share video and audio broadcasts and make them available to customers, employees and your network. If you own an interior design or landscaping business, why not take video footage of your work to share with the social network! Maybe a video podcast will not work for your topic of discussion. Audio podcasts are an excellent way to delivery topics related to health issues, business, education and technology.

Helpful Resources Include:

How to Say it: Marketing with New Media by Lena Claxton and Alison Woo
Podcast Solutions: The Complete Guide to Podcasting by Michael W. Geoghegan and Dan Klass
The Truth about Profiting from Social Networking by Patrice-Anne Ruledge
YouTube for Business: Online Video Marketing for Any Business by Michael Miller

Social networking can be profitable to your business in many ways. Just like any marketing campaign, there’s a potential for an increase in revenue, reach into new markets but most of all name recognition. You don’t need to incorporate all of the social networks out there, but find the one that fits your business environment and work with that until you are comfortable and then add another.

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Reggie Waller is president of RWJ Consulting Group, LLC, which provides business and personal coaching, consulting and training services to individuals and businesses. For additional information call 267-254-6800 or visit RWJ Consulting Group