Entrepreneurs are “make it happen” kind of people. We all know we need to have an effective web presence, and social media is a key part. Armed with that knowledge, how many otherwise productive hours go into the black hole of research? If time is money, what’s the loss? What opportunities got overlooked while chasing rabbit trails?

Many corporate entities have already figured that out, and solved the puzzle. They are hiring full time self taught social media managers with average starting salaries of $55,000 (See L. A. Times, “Employers are liking — and hiring — social media workers”).

What does that mean for mid and small sized businesses? It means it’s time to take the initiative and get some real expertise going in your favor. A competent coach has already invested the hours in research that would generally amount to lost productivity in most offices. With multiple client’s they don’t need a full time salary from you, but you leverage the expertise gained by their exposure serving clients beyond your enterprise. Your social media marketing coach then delivers intel to implement an actionable agenda designed to grow your business. They will likely have access to services that will leverage those priorities such as web developers, content writers, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) gurus, and others.

You may not have the budget or need to hire a full time social media manager, but creative social media coaching is mission critical, affordable, and available. Your pay off can be measured in revenues, reputation control, or even simply buying back your time.

In just the last year one major jobs board reports a 75% surge in social media related jobs. The real question isn’t really “Will your competition beat you on this front?” It’s closer to, “Why waste time trying to figure out what works when you could be implementing what works instead?”

Given the stormy economic outlook, many want us to panic with them. It doesn’t take much to hear their urgent cries. But some businesses are riding the wind to record growth in the middle of the storms. I have the privilege of working with some of them. It’s the same weather out there, but a very different experience. Find someone who’s excited about the adventure of succeeding in this economy, and then join the excitement!

In doing all this, you need to make a great first impression.  If you owned a distribution center, you’d likely have a clean front office where you could put your best foot forward.  Once you’ve made that great first impression, you might invite them to see the breadth of your warehouse that’s attached and busy serving clients.  A custom Facebook Fan page, or “Landing Page” properly developed can give the average visitor the front office experience, leaving your busy, cluttered wall developing relationships and delivering useful information.
To succeed, we simply must meet people where they are.  They are on Facebook now, and more are coming.  The myth is that having a Facebook page for your business is the silver bullet to insure your success.  Like most other silver bullet myths, it’s just not true, but has an element of truth.  It is a critical tool, a part over an overall strategy for an effective web presence to make you effective online.

As the internet exploded, having a basic website became expected.  To be stand out, you needed a good looking, professionally designed web site just to maintain your edge.

And with the exponential proliferation of professionally designed websites came the necessity of Search Engine Friendly site builds and Search Engine Optimization. The two acronyms, SEF and SEO, are marketed by the scrupulous and unscrupulous alike.  Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between Snakeoil Enterprising Frauds (SEF) and Search Engine Friendly (SEF).  So the role of a competent consultant entered the minds of wise entrepreneurs and managers everywhere.

But, with change as the only constant in this story, you might expect another level of mandatory sophistication to hit your website.  And maybe that’s true.  Or, maybe it’s coming.  Or, maybe it just doesn’t matter right now.

Instead, there’s been a seismic interruption to the otherwise predictable pace and progression of the story.  Some love it.  Others hate it.  Like that time not so long ago when websites first began to appear, it’s a game changer.  And it, too, is unstoppable, changing the way business breathes.  It is Social Media.  It is conversational by nature.  It turns customers into your sales force.  It leverages your time. It’s where people are shifting their time and attention to, so to succeed, we must go there with them. And it is only going to be effective by rethinking your web presence.

I came kicking and screaming to the social media scene. Here’s my thinking: I have countless other things to do than hang out online tracking people I once knew. Sure, I have a Facebook Page, and it turns out to be a great way to share pictures with friends. And, yes, YouTube is a really great diversion, and actually a pretty amazing tool, it turns out. And what could be more annoying than Twitter? Misunderstanding the whole of Social Media is what. Here are some videos that opened my eyes. And once I latch on to something, I really go for it. Just keep in mind that like anything else, it’s not the silver bullet for business. But it might just be a pretty important piece of your puzzle.

Socialnomics

Yep, it’s a cool word, and this is a great production. It might be the only video needed to highlight the importance of this medium.

Want more?

Social Media has take over pornography as the #1 activity on the web

Seriously. For that and a little more perspective, check out this YouTube…

“The S-Curve maps the market penetration of a new product or technology, from marginal beginnings to mainstream popularity.” – Harry S. Dent, Jr.

Too many business owners and managers get caught trying to revive their enterprise as it fades from cutting edge to irrelevancy.  Rethinking Your Web is all about staying ahead ahead of the curve.  It’s about your web presence, which is now defined by a lot more than a pretty site with decent content.  It might include Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and it might not!

The key foundation to Rethinking Your Web is thinking.  Maybe one or more of the social media tools is good for you.  But don’t get caught up the hype.  Get caught up in thinking instead.  Don’t start with thinking about your web site, or the latest “me too” internet tool.  Start with thinking about your business.

1. What’s it’s greatest asset?
2. What is the vision?
3. Where is it most profitable?
4. Where do you want to see better profits?

And there are more questions we should ask, all creating the foundation for understanding what your online presence should be.  It’s time you started rethinking your web.  I’m here to provide resources to make that process effective.  So, come back often and together we’ll celebrate your successes.