What are the key platforms for a business owner or solo professional to consider using for establishing and developing a social media presence?

I’m the first person to say that companies and solo professional need to get their basic social media strategy right before jumping in and using various social media or social networking platforms and tools.

I acknowledge also that a lot of business people are looking for practical, business-savvy advice, sooner rather than later, on what social media tools and platforms to use.

From one point of view there are so many that it is a challenge knowing where to start. But I believe that a couple of useful principles for getting started and keeping going effectively are:

to keep remembering the point is to do business better, not to become a tech expert
to become familiar and practiced with the use of some key, accessible platforms, as a basis for building and growing a effective social web presence

Out of the many social media platforms and new variations appearing continuously, the following is the basic set or framework which I recommend for solopreneurs and other small business owners.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube | Blog

I recommend however not trying to use them all at once, or things could get too confusing and frustrating. It could make sense to consider just using one to get started and then adding others progressively.

Just taking on those five, or even two or three of them, will require a serious commitment of time but the potential rewards can make that more than worthwhile. And there is not much future in the “do nothing” option.

I intend to post about each of the five in coming weeks, basically some thoughts, from my experience, of how these platforms can be used effectively by home based professionals especially.

And in September (only a week away!) I’m launching a new coaching program for people looking for some guidance and coaching with using social media for their business. I’ll be starting with a free teleseminar on Social Media Business Strategy on Wed Sept 8 and repeated on Thurs Sept 9: more details here.

Cartoon credit: Hugh MacLeod at Gaping Void – Creative Commons license

Does Your Blog Need Video?

More and more people are incorporating video in their blogs. Many others have no doubt thought about it but are not sure how to go about it or what is involved, technically, financially or in time commitment.

Video Marketing Expert Gideon Shalwick has done the hard yards and has now shared some valuable information on the subject.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qc4IgO_pB0[/youtube]

I have spent the past hour reading through Gideon’s free Rapid Video Blogging book.

I am impressed by the quality of the information that Gideon has shared. I know having done other video marketing courses that the Video Coaching program Gideon is offering is excellent value.

Not only will you learn how to set up your YouTube channel, you will learn how to use the excellent Thesis WordPress theme and understand how search engine optimization (SEO) works for both your channel and your blog.

I also liked the interview that Gideon did with Fran Kerr who has been very successful with her video blog on health. When you get the download link for the PDF you can get access also to this live case study of someone who makes a fulltime income from YouTube and her blog.

To download your copy of the report all you have to do is click on the image below and provide your email address and name: