Social media is everywhere – it cannot be ignored. The most popular networks for small business owners are:  Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  Chances are that you have a profile in each of these and strive to be pretty active.  But is your activity leading to productivity?

Being active in the social networks is much like networking in person – if you’re doing it correctly. You should be making personal connections with people, having real conversations with them and above all, adding value to their lives and businesses.  Those in your network will appreciate your efforts to be truly and genuinely helpful.  Online or offline, this spirit is absolutely client attractive.

At first, it may start out with the little things like responding to a group question, or leaving your feedback on a blog post you saw in your Twitter stream.  But if you’re genuinely helping people, being friendly and conversing with others, people notice. Then, you’ll be known as the “expert” in the group, the go-to person that everyone waits to hear from.  And sometimes, you’ll be exactly the person a potential client is looking for to help them solve a challenge they’re facing.

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