Fear NotSo, you've been hearing a lot about "
web 2.0", "
blogging", and "
social networking" have you? Well congratulations, you're not dead. And if these terms make you squirm, then you are definitely not alone. The truth is, web2.0 is absolutely essential for optimum business success in the 21st century. Hers's a simple overview of what you need to know about online success for your business.
Wait! Don't get ahead of yourself here. Get to know a few of the basics first - believe me, this will save you a headache or two later.
What is Web2.0?
The answer to that question could fill a book, but I'll give you the basic description from
Tim O'Reilly himself (the man who first coined the term): "[In Web 2.0] the cardinal rule is this one:
Users add value. Figuring out how to build databases that get better the more people use them, is actually the secret sauce of every (successful) Web 2.0 company". Web 2.0 is much more than a page on your computer screen. It's interactive, it's a conversation, it's alive.
Why is it Important to Me?
Becoming a part of the online community is important for building your internet presence and reputation. If you've signed up here at
Work.com, then you're already on your way! Soon, you can progressively build traffic to your other sites and establish yourself as a leader in your field. If done right, this will become an invaluable tool for your business success.
Okay, So How Do I Start?The internet is brimming with websites that offer you an online identity, and the choices can be overwhelming. I reccommend signing up at
MyBlogLog first. It's free, and has a whole host of sites that you can go to for continuing your online development. Most of these sites offer you a personal profile with a unique web address, which you can use to advertise yourself or your services.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Develop a Focus
Wandering aimlessly around the web in search of sites to become a part of is not the way to go. With so much out there, you need to find a focus. What business are you in? Real Estate? Legal Services? Builder? Auto Dealer? Whatever it is, there is a niche for it on the web. Find your niche market and go wild there!
I recommend: Search
Google and other search engines with key phrases relevant to your business. This will get you headed in the right direction.
Start a Blog
A "blog" is simply a collection of your thoughts and opinions - published on the world wide web. People blog for any number of reasons; to socialize, to share their passions, to express themselves, and to promote their business. For the purpose of this guide, let's stick to the last one.
I recommend: Practice, practice, practice. The more you blog, the easier it gets. Remember, you are writing to an audience. If your
blog title is catchy, readers will be intrigued to continue. If your
blog content is interesting and relevant, readers will be intrigued to finish it. And if your
blog post is very good, readers may be intrigued to try your services!
Be Active
Signing up for profiles on a hundred different sites, then just sitting back, will get you nowhere. You must contribute to these sites by continually submitting blogs, comments, links, news, and other useful information. The more you do this, the fatter your online presence becomes.
I recommend: This is what Web2.0 is all about! The more you interact, the more you will get noticed. And, this part actually makes the whole thing fun!
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Research and Observe. Read others blogs on topics you want to know about. Find successful online personalities and mimick what they do. Keep aware of trends and observe how others communicate.
- Assuming you're like the majority of people, you probably want the most bang for the least amount of bucks - and we all know that "time is money". Blogging is a great (free) way to advertise yourself and your services, but it can be very time consuming. To balance your blogging efforts, you can also use free classified sites like Craigslist or OLX to advertise job ads, real estate listings, products for sale, and services. There are also popular services like ClassifiedFlyerAds.com that automatically post your ads to tons of sites for very little cost.
- Don't Give Up.If you start today with your online campaign, and by tomorrow aren't an overnight success, don't give up! Anything worth anything takes effort, continual contribution, and persistence.
The official source of Using Web2.0 For Your Success is
the Business Networking Software page at Business.com
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