How many of you feel absolutely, and totally, overwhelmed just thinking about social media these days? If you’re anything like me, you’re not 30 years old anymore – and all of this can seem totally impossible to learn, let alone implement.

You know that you must get ‘in the game’ or get run over! We all recognize that the major players are involved in social media and you, too, must have a presence.

Well, it’s time to put one foot in front of the other and embrace this beast after all! Let me share with you 5 steps to getting started – ‘Beginning is half done!”  says the brilliant Dr. Robert Schuller

1.      KNOW YOUR IDEAL CLIENT.  That’s really the key to anything you are doing in business – but especially when it comes to social media. Why does that matter? For one thing, it helps to keep you focused. You can’t serve everyone – you’ve got to identify the people who need you most.

2.      IDENTIFY THEIR ‘HANG-OUT”! This is exactly the same approach you would take to in-person networking (my favorite thing!). There are 3 major social media locations – Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Once you identify your ideal client, then figure out where they spend their time – and focus their attention – and where they are searching for solutions to their problems. Facebook has one of the largest growing demographics these days – globally. Think about that! Just about everyone (and their dog!) is on Facebook – are these your people? For me, yes! I work with women entrepreneurs – research shows they are one of the largest growing demographics on Facebook. LinkedIN is a great resource – I call it ‘Facebook with a suit’. So, if the corporate world is your community, then that’s where you will want to have a presence. Twitter is like speed dating………it’s very effective – and it challenges you to get your message clear!

3.      GET PAST THE FEAR. I hear this comment a lot, especially from my more ‘mature’ clients. There is fear about ‘putting yourself out there’ – well, first of all, fear typically comes from lack of education and information. So, educate yourself. When Facebook first came out (and Twitter, too, for that matter) there were many people using it to just socialize – and that’s what it was about. What DID you have for dinner last night?? LOL. Today, Facebook presents a huge opportunity for you to have a business presence and to connect with similar minded-entrepreneurs. So very exciting. If this is a case of where ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’, then do your homework. Get educated! Get with the program.

4.      FIGURE OUT YOUR MESSAGE. When it comes to Twitter, for instance, you only have so many characters with which to get your message out. And remember – clarity attracts cash! Once you are clear on your transformational message, then create a strategy for having a regular presence on social media. If words are not your thing, and that’s not what attracts your peeps, then check out Pinterest – it’s visual – and that’s appealing to many women, in particular.

5.      GET HELP! People often comment that I’m on Facebook a lot. Well, I do have a ‘presence’ on Facebook (and other social media sites), but it’s not that I AM on those sites all day, every day. I have a social media virtual assistant – and, together, we create content and a strategy to ensure that I DO have a presence – 24/7 – so we connect with my community globally. I have no intention of learning all of this myself – it’s not my passion or my gift – but there are people out there who do this for a living. Get help!

Social media is not going away, people. And, quite frankly, for many of you who use the excuse that you don’t have a budget or money for this or for that when it comes to growing your business, then shame on you for NOT using social media up to this point. It’s F.R.E.E.! Hello! So, get going – NOW – I’ll be watching for you!!!

If you are serious about growing your business, attracting ideal clients, making money and making a difference – then get off your ‘ya-but’s’ right now – and get engaged. The world is waiting for you!

Have you connected with ME on social media? Let me know and leave a comment, ok?

Please share your thoughts!

Author: Pat Mussieux

Pat has built the new business she's dreamed of, without compromise. She has been nominated, for the past 4 years, for the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award and have won 4 STEVIE Awards for Women in Business. Pat has also hosted her own local radio show for 4 years and now hosts a live talk show on local TV interviewing successful women entrepreneurs and sharing their stories. She has written 3 books – the latest of which is ‘Stop Compromising and Make All the Money You Want! A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Starting Up and Starting Over.’