Top 10 Myths: Businesses Using Social Networks

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The popularity of social networking is growing, and it seems that there are so many more outlets to rely on when it comes to connecting with other people online. For businesses, using social networking communities like Facebook and Twitter is a smart decision because it allows you (the business) to connect with clients, and also gives you an opportunity to find new, potential clients. Everyone is on their phone, staying connected online, and receiving information and news through networks like Twitter, StumbleUpon and Facebook. With all this said, it's time to get the facts straight. Here are the Top 10 Myths about social networking for businesses.

Myth 1: Everybody Is On Social Media

Why it's perpetuated: Experts will show you pretty statistics on how more than 80% of people heard of a product through social media. This is a scare tactic to get you to hire them. The truth is social media is not on every one's radar--not yet, anyway.

Action plan: Even if your target demographic is not on social media, you can harness the power of the Web by making it easier for search engines like Google to find your website (known by geeks in the trade as "search engine optimization"). This is not hard, trust me, but the approach takes some time to gain momentum. For a step-by-step, easy-to-follow explanation of how to play the SEO game, read the full story to which this slideshow is attached.

Myth 2: Social News Aggregators Are Dead

Why it's perpetuated: These sites do not receive the same level of mainstream media coverage that Facebook and Twitter enjoy. Meanwhile Digg, Stumbleupon

Action plan: Before you can take advantage of social news aggregators, first you have to ingratiate yourself with other users. (It's an etiquette thing.) Start by registering for an account on Digg.com, if you don’t have one already. Write on my Facebook wall asking me to invite you into our Digg groups where we vote on each other’s Digg links. (To be clear, all of this interaction happens within the Facebook environment.) Once you are in the Digg group, vote on the articles and other content that Digg users submitted. Each time you "digg" a submission, all Digg users can see that you voted for it. The more you vote, the more likely the content you submit later will be voted on, increasing the chance it will get promoted to the "popular" section on Digg.com viewed by a big portion of Digg's 6 million users.

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