Page 23 - Tonilee & Bobbye Social Media Special Edition Oct Nov 2011 (1)

Social Networking 101: Where to Begin: You have $5,000 to launch

your business-top 5 things you should do
Top 5 ways to attract more followers on social networking outlets
not cut corners on design and function. A chunk of your start- up
You have dreamed of starting your own business for years and money will go to your website development but it is a worthy invest
now you have the money to actually do it. What should you do ment for the long haul, especially if you are selling products from
first to get your business going? If we are not careful, the money an online store.
is gone and we still are not in business. We have compiled our list 4. Plan for at least 3 months of Marketing Budget
of the top 5 things you should do to secure your investment and The goal is getting people to find your new business. You will need
launch your new business. to invest part of your $5000 in a marketing plan for at least
3 months. The marketing plan should include an extensive online
and social media plan, not expensive pay per click (PPC) advertis-
ing, but solid organic SEO (search engine optimization).
5. Start Building Your Network
To grow your business, start using the numerous opportunities for
social media networking. Make sure you have business pages, not
just personal pages. Invite people to join you and start interacting
through these networks on a regular basis. Let them know about
your new business and what you are offering. Register your web-
site with online directories and search engines.

Anyone can start a new business on $5000 if you take the right
steps the first time. These 5 things will ensure that you are off to a
great start to success. When in doubt, seek professional consulta-
tions and take your time.
San Diego

Woman

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1. Create a Simple Business Plan
The first thing you should do is map a short plan that includes
your business concept and what is involved for the first 6
months. For example, what will it cost to produce, how much
can you sell it for, and how long will it take to complete? Try to
project from 6 to 12 months for your business.
2. Select the Right Name
With today’s competitive online market, selecting the right
name has never been more critical. Your business name will
most likely become your website name, which means your
name will be lost in cyberspace if the keywords are too broad
or too specific. Finding the right niche is extremely important.
You can do this yourself or spend some money to hire a con-
sultant.
3. Build a Professional Website
Your website will be the store front for your business, so do