Hi Janet and Helena, ~ what a great article! I can completely relate to this. It describes exactly what I have experienced since I entered the social web 2 years ago. For me, as solo-preneur, the social web has also another big advantage: it allows me to combine my responsibilities as a father with my business. I couldn’t imagine how to combine those if it weren’t for social media. I chose to work from home, so I could spend more time with my 2 kids. Fortunately, it worked out fine! Partly, because Mari Smith offered me a chance to work for her as Chief Page Moderator. Thanks again for this great post ~ Juan Juan Felix recently posted..How Valuable Content Converts Leads into Paying Customers
Twitter: JanetBarclay Wow, working with Mari Smith must have been an amazing experience – she’s brilliant!
I also work from home, and because of social media I’ve been able to stay in touch and reconnect with people I haven’t seen in many years, which has opened up many business opportunities for me. It really has changed the way we network and market our businesses! Janet Barclay recently posted..Announcing Our New WordPress Packages
This is a great post about how to consider using social media in business, especially if you are a bit hesitant about it. Here’s a great example for you. We met initially through social media. And then got to meet in person at the 2012 NAPO conference in Baltimore. I remember sitting down next to you in the hotel lobby, not knowing it was you. I was waiting for Krista Colvin (another person I only knew through social media). The three of us ended up spending a nice afternoon together, sharing some coffee, good conversation and interacting face to face. It all began with Facebook, Twiiter and our blogs. Social media doesn’t replace marketing or relationship building, it merely enhances the avenues for doing those things.
I’m grateful to meet amazing people, like you and Janet from all over the world that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Twitter: JanetBarclay It is always exciting to meet someone in real life after you’ve known each other online for a while, and if I ever make it to a NAPO Conference, I look forward to meeting you, Helena, and many of the others in my network.
On the other side of the coin, it also provides a way to stay connected with the new people you meet at various events, without having to spend a lot of time writing individual emails to everyone. Janet Barclay recently posted..Starting a Cleaning and Organizing Business in Kenya
Helena has such a generous, kind spirit. She has wowed me [and several others] with her depth of information on Google+, Linked In, Pinterest and a few other SoMe topics.
She is someone who not only knows how, but knows why, to do specific things online; she’s able to ‘connects the dots’ for experienced SoMe users as well as newbies experiencing challenges.
And, after finally meeting her face-to-face, I have to say she is absolutely DELIGHTFUL! I love every minute of hanging out with her at NAPO events.
Twitter: JanetBarclay I’d like to add that Helena not only knows the how’s and the why’s, she is actually doing them! I’ve mentioned her (and you) to others as great examples of people using social media effectively. Janet Barclay recently posted..Another Website Makeover
You are so right Helena. In the past smaller companies couldn’t afford this kind of advertising and public relations. It’s still difficult since you either need to have the time to devote to it or be able to afford someone to do it for you. But that is such a much better option than was available before.
After reading everything in this post, I came to best statement in the second to the last paragraph. It is “It’s also important to keep in mind is that social media is not a magic potion; it does not happen overnight and, like anything we do successfully in life, requires lots of TLC”.
Twitter: JanetBarclay Absolutely! It’s really not that different than going to networking events. After attending her first event, a new business owner was disappointed, because she didn’t get any clients out of it, and I had to explain to her that it’s NOT about getting a quick sale, but about building relationships. Too many people using social media don’t seem to understand that. Janet Barclay recently posted..Becoming a Professional Organizer
Juan, thank you so much for your comment! I have been learning so much from you and your wonderful posts on Facebook.
I completely relate to the benefits of balancing family life with work from home and like you I am also so grateful that the choices I made support my wish to be with the boys and my passion for learning and working with people.
In this last year I also learned how much of our own education and learning is on our hands and how much is available out there!
Looking forward for more learning and fun with great people!
I so agree with you on how Social Media is bringing people together and after we met at NAPO and had coffee with Krista (Colvin) and Cris (Sgrott-Whedleton) I was also in awe thinking: the tools we have today to meet new people, to connect and find out the interests we have! I so enjoyed our outing!
I also enjoyed this whole year of learning and all is to “blame” on Rich Brooks’ session on the convention last year. I felt the importance and power of the information and felt fascinated by it! Since then I joined classes, groups and have met wonderful people!
Looking forward to your wonderful blog posts and a year of fun on Twitter! See you in New Orleans! Helena Alkhas recently posted..Why Social Media?
thank you so much for your kind words!
I also had a great time at NAPO2012 and going through the ins and outs of Social Media with our fellow colleagues!
I have this new found love for social media and I truly enjoy sharing what I learn.
I so relate to the challenge of time/money and I know how much work is involved and what a steep learning curve it can be. I dedicated so many hours to it, but once things are in place it works as a well-oiled machine.
I have also to agree with Janet. If a small business owner is overwhelmed, he/she needs help! A skilled and reliable VA can change the world to us and free up time to create, learn and generate more income! PS: Janet is great for that! Helena Alkhas recently posted..Why Social Media?
Excellent article Helena ~ you make so many great points. Social media allows small companies and individuals to get the same kind of exposure in their market as big brands without spending millions in advertising. I think the reason small businesses hesitate to jump into social media is because it seems so time consuming with no return. The key is to have a social media strategy ~ really, you need help from a professional here! And, like you said, to realize that it doesn’t produce returns overnight. If you are patient and do it right, social media will bring your business to a higher profit level than you’ve ever imagined! Jennifer recently posted..5 Tools to Focus Your Business and Double Your Profits
Twitter: JanetBarclay You’re so right about needing a strategy! as John Haydon said, “Without specific goals, social media will become a complete time-suck.” Janet Barclay recently posted..Social Media Q&A
Hi Janet and Helena, ~ what a great article! I can completely relate to this. It describes exactly what I have experienced since I entered the social web 2 years ago. For me, as solo-preneur, the social web has also another big advantage: it allows me to combine my responsibilities as a father with my business. I couldn’t imagine how to combine those if it weren’t for social media. I chose to work from home, so I could spend more time with my 2 kids. Fortunately, it worked out fine! Partly, because Mari Smith offered me a chance to work for her as Chief Page Moderator. Thanks again for this great post
~ Juan
Juan Felix recently posted..How Valuable Content Converts Leads into Paying Customers
Twitter: JanetBarclay
Wow, working with Mari Smith must have been an amazing experience – she’s brilliant!
I also work from home, and because of social media I’ve been able to stay in touch and reconnect with people I haven’t seen in many years, which has opened up many business opportunities for me. It really has changed the way we network and market our businesses!
Janet Barclay recently posted..Announcing Our New WordPress Packages
Twitter: LindaSamuels
Hi Helena,
This is a great post about how to consider using social media in business, especially if you are a bit hesitant about it. Here’s a great example for you. We met initially through social media. And then got to meet in person at the 2012 NAPO conference in Baltimore. I remember sitting down next to you in the hotel lobby, not knowing it was you. I was waiting for Krista Colvin (another person I only knew through social media). The three of us ended up spending a nice afternoon together, sharing some coffee, good conversation and interacting face to face. It all began with Facebook, Twiiter and our blogs. Social media doesn’t replace marketing or relationship building, it merely enhances the avenues for doing those things.
I’m grateful to meet amazing people, like you and Janet from all over the world that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Twitter: JanetBarclay
It is always exciting to meet someone in real life after you’ve known each other online for a while, and if I ever make it to a NAPO Conference, I look forward to meeting you, Helena, and many of the others in my network.
On the other side of the coin, it also provides a way to stay connected with the new people you meet at various events, without having to spend a lot of time writing individual emails to everyone.
Janet Barclay recently posted..Starting a Cleaning and Organizing Business in Kenya
Janet, thank you for this post!
Helena has such a generous, kind spirit. She has wowed me [and several others] with her depth of information on Google+, Linked In, Pinterest and a few other SoMe topics.
She is someone who not only knows how, but knows why, to do specific things online; she’s able to ‘connects the dots’ for experienced SoMe users as well as newbies experiencing challenges.
And, after finally meeting her face-to-face, I have to say she is absolutely DELIGHTFUL! I love every minute of hanging out with her at NAPO events.
Helena, keep the wisdom coming!
Twitter: JanetBarclay
I’d like to add that Helena not only knows the how’s and the why’s, she is actually doing them! I’ve mentioned her (and you) to others as great examples of people using social media effectively.
Janet Barclay recently posted..Another Website Makeover
You are so right Helena. In the past smaller companies couldn’t afford this kind of advertising and public relations. It’s still difficult since you either need to have the time to devote to it or be able to afford someone to do it for you. But that is such a much better option than was available before.
Twitter: JanetBarclay
I think most business owners should have time or money. If they’ve not busy, they’ve got time. If they are busy, they’ve got money. If they’re busy but still don’t have money, they probably need to increase their rates!
Janet Barclay recently posted..Professional Organizers Blog Carnival for April 2012: Organizing Email and Other Communications
After reading everything in this post, I came to best statement in the second to the last paragraph. It is “It’s also important to keep in mind is that social media is not a magic potion; it does not happen overnight and, like anything we do successfully in life, requires lots of TLC”.
Twitter: JanetBarclay
Absolutely! It’s really not that different than going to networking events. After attending her first event, a new business owner was disappointed, because she didn’t get any clients out of it, and I had to explain to her that it’s NOT about getting a quick sale, but about building relationships. Too many people using social media don’t seem to understand that.
Janet Barclay recently posted..Becoming a Professional Organizer
Juan, thank you so much for your comment! I have been learning so much from you and your wonderful posts on Facebook.
I completely relate to the benefits of balancing family life with work from home and like you I am also so grateful that the choices I made support my wish to be with the boys and my passion for learning and working with people.
In this last year I also learned how much of our own education and learning is on our hands and how much is available out there!
Looking forward for more learning and fun with great people!
Helena
Helena Alkhas recently posted..Why Social Media?
Linda, thank you for your comment!
I so agree with you on how Social Media is bringing people together and after we met at NAPO and had coffee with Krista (Colvin) and Cris (Sgrott-Whedleton) I was also in awe thinking: the tools we have today to meet new people, to connect and find out the interests we have! I so enjoyed our outing!
I also enjoyed this whole year of learning and all is to “blame” on Rich Brooks’ session on the convention last year. I felt the importance and power of the information and felt fascinated by it! Since then I joined classes, groups and have met wonderful people!
Looking forward to your wonderful blog posts and a year of fun on Twitter! See you in New Orleans!
Helena Alkhas recently posted..Why Social Media?
Geralin,
thank you so much for your kind words!
I also had a great time at NAPO2012 and going through the ins and outs of Social Media with our fellow colleagues!
I have this new found love for social media and I truly enjoy sharing what I learn.
Looking forward to see you in New Orleans!
Helena
Helena Alkhas recently posted..Why Social Media?
Denise,
I so relate to the challenge of time/money and I know how much work is involved and what a steep learning curve it can be. I dedicated so many hours to it, but once things are in place it works as a well-oiled machine.
I have also to agree with Janet. If a small business owner is overwhelmed, he/she needs help! A skilled and reliable VA can change the world to us and free up time to create, learn and generate more income! PS: Janet is great for that!
Helena Alkhas recently posted..Why Social Media?
Excellent article Helena ~ you make so many great points. Social media allows small companies and individuals to get the same kind of exposure in their market as big brands without spending millions in advertising. I think the reason small businesses hesitate to jump into social media is because it seems so time consuming with no return. The key is to have a social media strategy ~ really, you need help from a professional here! And, like you said, to realize that it doesn’t produce returns overnight. If you are patient and do it right, social media will bring your business to a higher profit level than you’ve ever imagined!
Jennifer recently posted..5 Tools to Focus Your Business and Double Your Profits
Twitter: JanetBarclay
You’re so right about needing a strategy! as John Haydon said, “Without specific goals, social media will become a complete time-suck.”
Janet Barclay recently posted..Social Media Q&A