Social media is at the forefront of everything these days. More businesses need to take advantage of what social media has to offer. Those who do no are missing out on many untapped resources. We are living in a time when social media is the new giant when it comes to having a business strategy and doing business marketing.

Lewis Syring shares 6 ways in which you can take advantage of what social media is offering you.

1) Ask yourself a few core questions. Can social media give me the business I need? Is my target group using social media on a daily basis? What am I hoping to achieve and whose attention am I looking to get. You also need to ask yourself about the level of attention you are seeking. Some only seek to get a small level of attention. Others crave it like there is no tomorrow. What category do you fall into?

2) Social media is not the goal. It is the vehicle you use to get to the destination. Is your target group using any of these platforms? You never want to include social media as part of your marketing plan when your target groups are not on there. It is a waste of time and money. Social media is not to be used to get the sales. Your brand will give you the sales. Social media is only there to help drive them in the direction you need them to go. Do you see the difference?

3) Do you know the old saying, “too many chiefs, not enough Indians”? You only need a small group of people to manage your branding, strategy and social media blitzes on a daily basis. Do not put out too much in overhead when it comes to workers. It is your dream and company. Only use a small number of people to implement these changes. The rest you can do yourself. A good business marketing strategy is not about hiring the most people, it is about hiring the best people.

4) Do not overextend yourself and have “diarrhea of the mouth”. Keep your social media channels to business and branding only. Only leave open 10% for small talk and unrelated issues.

5) Get out of your own way. You need to listen to what others have to say on the subject. Listen to their successes with their business strategy. You and they are not that dissimilar. You may have more in common than you think.

6) Get out and talk to people. The whole point of social media and other avenues is to talk to people you do not know. Go outside of your comfort zone. It is the only way you can take your business and brand from point A to point B.