Facebook, LinkedIn show the face behind a business
By Lynn Wolstenholme
Getting a business's name out to millions of people has become easier -- and free -- with advances in online networking. Stealing from the popular technology college students and teenagers use to keep up with friends on Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace, the business world is now a major mover on online networking sites.
“The days of the cold call are over,” said Jennifer Abernethy, founder and operator of The Sales Lounge, an Ashburn-based sales development and performance coaching business.
Abernethy and three other online networking-savvy professionals spoke to attendees of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce's “Technology 2014: Online Business Networking” seminar April 18 at George Washington University's Ashburn campus.
The four speakers discussed the benefits of using Facebook and LinkedIn to market themselves and their businesses on a larger scale by simply setting up a personal Web page about themselves and finding those they know.
“It is said that by 2010, there will be more networking done through the Internet than in person,” Abernethy said. She also pointed out that Facebook has more than 70 million users and that a significant chunk of members are 30 and older.
Through these types of sites, members fill out general information about themselves – occupation, educational background, personal interests, etc. -- and then search the site, looking for others they know. As they find “friends,” they are able to view a list of the friends' friends and network with them as well.
“[These sites] are a great place to find jobs, referrals, recommendations,” said speaker Colin Clark, with AH&T Insurance. “It is also an incredible way to get your name out there.”
The speakers pointed out that by having a profile on Facebook, LinkedIn or another online networking site, a person's name will pop up on major search engines such as Google or Yahoo.
The speakers also gave some advice for using these sites for professional purposes:
Make your page welcoming, genuine and authentic.
Keep somewhat of a separation of personal and professional information (for example, don't have embarrassing photos or stories for business contacts to see).
Build a relationship with people. It turns others off if you are always on there selling.
Know who you are and what you want to accomplish on the site.
Audience members questioned the panel about one possible drawback -- the relationship between time spent on the Internet networking versus the revenue that is recouped.
“Even though you say it is free, it does cost you in time,” said audience member Leslie VanSant, a partner with Global Emergency Group, a humanitarian relief consulting firm in Bluemont.
John Vyge, a speaker with Hillebrand Financial Planning, said more than 60 percent of his business comes from networking.
Abernethy added that while she is new to Facebook – she has been a member for three months, with more than 200 friends already – she spends a good amount of time building her business, but a person could spend just 30 minutes on the site each night to catch up with people.
Clark chimed in saying that he and his wife are online most of the evening, sitting next to each other on the couch with their laptops while they watch television.
“The thing is, this is a different world,” he said, “and it doesn't even feel like work.”
Contact the reporter at lwolstenholme@timespapers.com