Social media is a way for businesses to connect with customers and for customers to connect with businesses. It provides opportunities to spread word-of-mouth marketing through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. To be successful, businesses should start by choosing a few key social media sites to engage on, connect with customers authentically without spamming, and monitor conversations while responding to feedback like a human. The presentation provided an overview of the benefits of social media for businesses and professionals along with tips for getting started and platforms to explore.

1. Social Media for Business & Professionals Chicago Computer Society June 29, 2011

2. What is social media?

3. Or, is it… Your way to connect with your customers Their way to connect with you Is it…

4. What is the social web?

5. Every 60 seconds Source: Media Bistro http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/files/2011/06/internet-60-seconds-infographic.jpg

6. Why does my business need Social Media?

7. WOMM Cycle

8. Where do we start?

9. Social media is…

10. I am guessing you have heard of most of these…

11. But it isn’t just the tools… It’s how and what you share too….

12. Connect without spamming

13. Be yourself Be connected Do it when you have time Watch for problems Share the best – not just your stuff Be where your business is Monitor with tools but respond as a human SM Success in Seven Steps

14. 3 social sites you should know about

15. So, let’s talk about what you don’t know about… Quora Amplify Social Mention

16. What is the next big thing?

17. Wrap up Have a great story Follow the seven steps Be the best – and make sure that your customers know it!