Online Business Development Tools

Technology has added tremendous value to businesses all over.  There is no count as to how many software applications, technology tools are part of today’s business.  The most prominent among them are Engineering applications, multimedia tools, ERP suit, analytical tools, project management applications, and many.

The advent of world wide web has brought unthinkable and indescribable value to the business where every business card today invariably bears its identity on Web / Internet.  Internet is a virtual office for many businesses.  From the basic website, and email transactions to today’s cloud computing
infrastructure, Internet is the media and the very breath for us today.  Social Networking Platform came into being as an indispensable business driver, easy marketing tool and as a low budget business development mechanism.

Everyone is spending some of his / her day’s time on Internet engaged with Social Networking tools like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Orkut, Linkedin, Flickr and many.  I have detailed here the business advantages of tools, Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.  Will cover about other tools like YouTube and more through separate posting.

Twitter: Twitter is a micro blogging platform.  My favorite tool.  We can create a Twitter account in just 1 minute.  Twitter helps us to communicate anything regarding our business.  The business advantages:

1. Provide a brief bio about you or your business
2. Link to your website or blog
3. Compile a list of followers based on our business profile, general requirement or personal choice
4. Update your followers on your new product (s), technology, service and developments
5. Share important documents like Survey Reports, White Papers, Case studies, Web links
6. Promote your blog, website and your profile
7. Create, develop and maintain your business brand, personal brand
8. Attract Sr. Management personnel to join your business
9. Share business expansion details
10. Inform followers about Seminars, Meetings, Conferences, Exhibitions
11. Seek project funding
12. Explore partnerships and collaborations
13. Comment or remark on favorite issues or current events
14. Conduct virtual meetings through tweets
15. Discuss on important topics
16. Share any other information with your  followers.

Facebook: Facebook is a very prominent social networking platform meant for personal, professional and business advantages.  Creation of account is very easy.  You can have your business and personal profile as one account.  The business advantages:

1. Invite your friends, customers, and business associates to join you
2. Showcase your company’s profile
3. Place your personal profile
4. Provide links to your websites or blogs
5. Communicate any business information you like to share
6. Market your product, service, conference and seminar
7. Share your business achievements
8. Discuss important topics, conduct virtual brainstorming sessions
9. Share any other information you may like

LinkedIn: Professional network development tool.  Highly favored by enterprises, professionals and individuals.   The business advantages:

1. Very good platform to place your professional profile
2. Right tool for professional networking
3. Add people to your network based on your interest and requirement
4. Find your favorite companies/organizations and follow them for regular updates
5. Share your views, thoughts and opinions on various aspects
6. Promote your blog, website, event and your profile

All the businesses whether small business, or large enterprise should have a disciplined Social Media Management Strategy to derive the benefits they offer.  An enterprise which invests an year of sincere, disciplined and professional approach will benefit in terms of:

1. Online brand development
2. Online and offline business development through lead generation
3. Wider professional identity
4. Network expansion
5. Ability to attract potential team members
6. Real-time insight about on business happenings

As a matter of fact, the advantages of Social Networking for Business and Social Media Management Strategy are merely limited to the imagination, wisdom and consistency in the pursuit.

You can create your business identity using the following links:

• https://twitter.com/signup
• http://www.facebook.com/
• http://www.linkedin.com/