3 Simple Ways to Test the Water

If you're in business and want to learn social media before taking your business's marketing forward in the social media world, why not start personally with LinkedIn? This site allows social networking that is entirely business oriented. You're not going to waste time with someone's vacation photos or be bombarded with someone wanting you to join a game. This site allows you to post your job experience and history, education and related information, and make online connections with people you know. You can also search their contacts as part of a network of people who are affiliated through jobs, personal history and interests. You can recommend people you trust or ask them to recommend you. Employers can post jobs and search for candidates. The basic account is free. Join today, then find me and add me as a "connection" to get started. Mention you saw this blog if I don't already know you.

Another simple and risk-free way to learn social media is to visit any of a number of sites and begin reading comments. I'd suggest these three:

1. First, choose a large or local newspaper you like and go to the online version. Find a story that interests you, then scroll down below the article and read the comments of the readers. Maybe leave your own comment.
2. You might also go to YouTube and sign up for a free account. Then go to the search function and type in a subject of interest to you, such as literature or sailing or business. You can even set up your own channel to upload and share your own videos or collect your favorite videos shared by others. Here's mine, for example. Find a video on almost any topic and read what others have said about it in the comments. You may just find someone you want to talk with about the subject.
3. The last thing I'd suggest to help you learn social media is to go to a service like Yelp. You can sign up for free. This service provides a local search function for almost anything, such as a pizza parlor or hotel or hair salon. You can then check the user reviews to find out what kind of experience others had with this business.

So go ahead, jump in the waters of social networking and social media marketing. You'll find it easier to swim than you thought.

What concerns or suggestions do you have about using social media for business? Share your thoughts below, and perhaps you'll meet a swimming partner.

Also see our post about how the United States military has been managing their social media.