Social media is a conversation that can easily expand. Social networking is a piece of social media. Social networking develops relationships.
Social media is another avenue for promoting a business or nonprofit. An avenue that if integrated into an organization’s overall customer service/promotion/sales strategy can produce amazing results. Folks who do not use social media or slightly use it often find the field overwhelming.
Last week I launched Shiny Door with my first social networking presentation (Net Tuesday Chicago) and my first two social networking workshops (Community Media Workshop and New America Foundation). One of the attendees asked if she must have a Facebook profile before creating a Group to promote her organization. I am so ingrained in social networking, the issue had not occurred to me. That was when I realized I need to include a discussion at the beginning of the workshops about the structure of social networking and the importance of the individual.
In order to promote a business or nonprofit online, one needs to first establish an individual presence online. Companies and nonprofits are often uncomfortable putting themselves out front. They are accustomed to promoting the organization itself. We all know that organizations benefit from individuals networking offline, (this is why networking events are popular and why some folks even attend events at all). Online networking very much relies upon the individual. Organizations have an
