What CPAs Need to Know About Social Networking
The concepts of social networking can be a challenge to grasp if you are not tuned in to the latest goings on in cyberspace. A brief primer on social networking in general and the differences between some of the more popular networking sites is below. Social networking can be a useful and a potentially very powerful marketing tool for individuals, businesses and firms. Learn a little more about them, including the definition of tweet.Source: Wikipedia.org
Defining Online Social Networking
Online social networking services focus on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.
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Privacy and Security Concerns
Users of these services need to be aware of the possibility of data theft (or viruses). There are also potential privacy and identity theft threats created by placing too much personal information on social networking sites. |
Find out more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_networking
Example for a CPA firm:How Accountants Use Social Media
– Thanks to Rick Telberg at CPA Trendlines.com
Why Should You Participate in Social Networking?
By Tamera Loerzel is a partner of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC
Social networking has evolved into a professional networking strategy with many business applications including recruiting, brand-building, and business networking. Social networking sites and other “groundswell technologies” are rapidly gaining in popularity. It is critical that you become informed and involved now in using these tools to gain a competitive advantage.
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Social Networking Details and Definintions Blogs and Microblogging, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn
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CPA Learning 2.0
Learn more by using this self-guided program that encourages the exploration of Web 2.0 technologies. |
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View Rick Telberg's slideshow –
Social Media: New Marketing Technologies for Accounting Firms |
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Social Media Tips
Tom Hood, CPA, the CEO of MACPA, discusses ways to leverage social networking to fuel growth and make strong connections. |
- Connect people who share common business interests and goals at a low cost
- Act as a customer relationship management tool for companies selling products and services
- Be used for advertising in the form of banners and text ads
- Make it easier to keep in touch with contacts regionally, nationally, and around the world
- Brand or position your firm as experts in specific areas
- Aid in on-campus and experienced recruiting and reaching people looking for employment opportunities
When you participate in social networking activities, you’ll reconnect with important business and social contacts that you may have lost touch with, and you’ll expand your network to include those who may not be available to you otherwise. You’ll open the door to potential referral sources, employee and partner candidates, and other resources that are not limited to geographic boundaries or the amount of “face time” you’re able to put in. You’ll be amazed by the people you can reach and new relationships that can be formed as you expand your network online.
Join the Groundswell
Getting started doesn’t have to be hard or time consuming, although it will take some time, especially initially, to identify the right technology that you can use to achieve your objectives. Learn about specific social technologies and identify one that you can commit to – whether it’s connecting with a network of people using LinkedIn, creating a presence for your firm with college students by building a firm profile on Facebook, or branding yourself or your firm as an expert or specialist in a particular area by creating your own blog.
As you embrace social networking technologies, use the time management technique of scheduling an allotted time to work on your selected social networking technology, typically outside of your typical office hours, just as you would schedule the time to network in person before or after work. Some might think social technologies fall into Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Quadrant IV - “not important and not urgent” time wasters - but they can be strategic and important Quadrant II work when you use them with intention, set goals around them, and integrate them into your other practice management activities.
One of the challenges with social networking is that new technologies are emerging continuously, and their easy accessibility can be overwhelming and confusing, so you need to be judicious about which ones you commit to learn and use and when. While you don’t have to be a master of all of them, stay abreast of new technologies as they emerge even if you’re not ready to embrace them so you understand who is using them, why, and how you may benefit in the future. Consider asking someone on your team who has an interest in social networking to research current technologies and update your leadership team quarterly on the emerging technologies and possible benefits for your people and your firm.
In the meantime, pick one of these technologies that you can learn about, become proficient in, and actively work. It may be as simple as following someone else’s blog to start and then posting a comment or two. Or, you might accept one of those LinkedIn (or other social networking site) invitations you’ve received and begin getting connected with others. Where will we see you in the groundswell of social technologies?
– Tamera Loerzel is a partner of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC, a leadership and marketing consulting and coaching firm that specializes in helping CPA and IT firms achieve success. Learn more about the company at www.convergencecoaching.com.
Social Networking Concepts
The video below explains a few basic concepts CPAs and businesses should keep in mind as they consider marketing on social networks. The following excerpt is from the Social Media and Web 2.0 Session panel discussion at the Maryland Business Expo 2009. The entire discussion and many more like it can be found on YouTube.com by searching on Web. 2.0.
– Thanks to the Maryland Association of CPAs.
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