Getting A Social Media Foothold

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One of the most frequent questions I get asked, especially by those in smaller businesses, is “where do I start?” Getting off the ground in social media can be like trying to eat an elephant all in one sitting, but it doesn’t have to be.

So I’ve taken some of my best practices for getting started, and packaged them into this free e-book called Getting a Foothold In Social Media: A Get-Started Guide for Small and Medium Businesses. I focused it on this group because they seem to have the fewest resources and most questions, but by all means, I think many of the tenets remain the same no matter what size business you’re in.

I’m working on a companion workshop for this e-book that I’ll be rolling out and live beta testing with some great companies here in Chicago and elsewhere. (If you’re interested in that, feel free to ping me and I can give you more details.)

My goal is to put out practical, common-sense strategies and tactics that actually make sense for business. It’s a little bit of theory, and a lot of the what and how.

It’s not too long – only 16 pages – but I think it’s packed full of stuff to get you off on the right foot. So please grab it, share it, pass it around, print it, whatever you wanna do. And I welcome your feedback. This e-book is for you, to help you in your day to day business. If I’ve missed something or if you have questions, please reach out to me. That’s what I’m here for.

And hey, leave me a comment and let me know what you think?

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  • @CharityHisle

    As always fantastic job Amber!

    Thank you for sharing! You are a valuable resource for the inexperienced AND the experienced!

    I look forward to sharing your e-book with my customers as they investigate social media.

  • @CharityHisle

    As always fantastic job Amber!

    Thank you for sharing! You are a valuable resource for the inexperienced AND the experienced!

    I look forward to sharing your e-book with my customers as they investigate social media.

  • http://www.dontmakemeslapyou.com Barbara Grassey

    This ebook lays out a practical plan for navigating social media. Thanks for breaking it down and prioritizing so well.

    Barbara

  • http://www.dontmakemeslapyou.com Barbara Grassey

    This ebook lays out a practical plan for navigating social media. Thanks for breaking it down and prioritizing so well.

    Barbara

  • http://sophzilla.blogspot.com Maria Thompson

    Thank you, Amber! Yours is a very helpful document that cuts through the clutter. It moves us to strategy (beyond the tactical, adopt-the-latest thing). Thanks for helping me help my internal clients!

    Maria Thompsons last blog post..Best inventions of 2008

  • http://sophzilla.blogspot.com Maria Thompson

    Thank you, Amber! Yours is a very helpful document that cuts through the clutter. It moves us to strategy (beyond the tactical, adopt-the-latest thing). Thanks for helping me help my internal clients!

    Maria Thompsons last blog post..Best inventions of 2008

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  • http://www.retailsmart.com.au/ Dennis

    Like the style of the blog and like the style of the book. (And more importantly the message.) I will link here in my next newsletter as part my Christmas ‘giving’ newsletter.

    Denniss last blog post..The Oldest Retail Disease

  • http://www.retailsmart.com.au/ Dennis

    Like the style of the blog and like the style of the book. (And more importantly the message.) I will link here in my next newsletter as part my Christmas ‘giving’ newsletter.

    Denniss last blog post..The Oldest Retail Disease

  • http://ideas2deals.typepad.com/ Michael Bowers

    As a small business consultant with the Small Business Development Center program this information is very much needed. Social media in my opinion is the new word of mouth. The problem is that many small business people don’t understand how to best use social media. This causes them to miss out on conversations about their business because they either don’t use social media effectively or they don’t even try to use it. It is important to get the word out on how small businesses can supplement their marketing efforts with social media. Thanks for your efforts to educate small businesses.

    Michael Bowerss last blog post..Columbus TechLife

  • http://ideas2deals.typepad.com/ Michael Bowers

    As a small business consultant with the Small Business Development Center program this information is very much needed. Social media in my opinion is the new word of mouth. The problem is that many small business people don’t understand how to best use social media. This causes them to miss out on conversations about their business because they either don’t use social media effectively or they don’t even try to use it. It is important to get the word out on how small businesses can supplement their marketing efforts with social media. Thanks for your efforts to educate small businesses.

    Michael Bowerss last blog post..Columbus TechLife

  • http://thebrandbuilder.wordpress.com/ olivier Blanchard

    Oooooooooh. You little genius you. Well done.

    olivier Blanchards last blog post..Adopt a Leadership Attitude: Only you, not Washington, can determine your business’ future.

  • http://thebrandbuilder.wordpress.com/ olivier Blanchard

    Oooooooooh. You little genius you. Well done.

    olivier Blanchards last blog post..Adopt a Leadership Attitude: Only you, not Washington, can determine your business’ future.

  • http://www.servantofchaos.com Gavin Heaton

    Social media gold!

    Nice work, Amber.

    Gavin Heatons last blog post..Sponsor Me This Movember

  • http://www.servantofchaos.com Gavin Heaton

    Social media gold!

    Nice work, Amber.

    Gavin Heatons last blog post..Sponsor Me This Movember

  • http://www.geekmommy.net Lucretia Pruitt

    Fantastic! Thank you for putting this out there and thank you for making it so accessible! :)

    You rock!

    Lucretia Pruitts last blog post..That’s The Way (Uh-huh, Uh-huh) I Like It – Part 3 of 3 Ford

  • http://www.geekmommy.net Lucretia Pruitt

    Fantastic! Thank you for putting this out there and thank you for making it so accessible! :)

    You rock!

    Lucretia Pruitts last blog post..That’s The Way (Uh-huh, Uh-huh) I Like It – Part 3 of 3 Ford

  • http://microwebblogs.com/bwoodsdesign Bobbi Jo Woods

    Hi Amber

    Thanks so much for offering this great free resource! I have been doing the social media thing for a while now, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of the basics now and then.

    Plus I’m sharing it with others.

    Thanks again,
    Bobbi Jo

    PS – found this link to your post via a fellow Twitter-er :)

    Bobbi Jo Woodss last blog post..About how I started to blog for business…and a little about barf

  • http://microwebblogs.com/bwoodsdesign Bobbi Jo Woods

    Hi Amber

    Thanks so much for offering this great free resource! I have been doing the social media thing for a while now, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of the basics now and then.

    Plus I’m sharing it with others.

    Thanks again,
    Bobbi Jo

    PS – found this link to your post via a fellow Twitter-er :)

    Bobbi Jo Woodss last blog post..About how I started to blog for business…and a little about barf

  • http://www.changearchitects.wordpress.com Keli Whidden

    Thank you! Some very important reminders and such a good base. I will definitely be sharing this resource both with colleagues and associates!
    Cheers,
    Keli

  • http://www.changearchitects.wordpress.com Keli Whidden

    Thank you! Some very important reminders and such a good base. I will definitely be sharing this resource both with colleagues and associates!
    Cheers,
    Keli

  • http://blog.jobzcafe.com Patsy

    A great resource for those wanting to get started into social media. Covers all the bases including tracking results. Thanks for compiling this info into a great presentation.

  • http://blog.jobzcafe.com Patsy

    A great resource for those wanting to get started into social media. Covers all the bases including tracking results. Thanks for compiling this info into a great presentation.

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  • http://www.awesomeassistant.blogspot.com Sue Canfield

    I look forward to reading the e-book. As a virtual assistant, I help my clients get started using social media. I’m sure the information in your e-book will be of value to me and my clients.

  • http://www.awesomeassistant.blogspot.com Sue Canfield

    I look forward to reading the e-book. As a virtual assistant, I help my clients get started using social media. I’m sure the information in your e-book will be of value to me and my clients.

  • http://befluid.com Joe Magennis

    Amber, thanks for the great document about how to get started in social media.

    My challenge is the process of initiating the dialogue PRIOR to the stage that you are addressing in Getting a Foothold.

    I would love to hear your insights on getting potential clients to even consider social media strategies, and allowing the “firewalls” that they have surrounded themselves with to come down. Do you point to specific case studies or companies?

    One specific element you may want to consider recommending in the measurement section is using Google’s Webmaster Tools. I find it very helpful to check inbound links, indexing issues, keywords … all helpful measurements.

    Joe Magenniss last blog post..Looking for a Leader Online

  • http://befluid.com Joe Magennis

    Amber, thanks for the great document about how to get started in social media.

    My challenge is the process of initiating the dialogue PRIOR to the stage that you are addressing in Getting a Foothold.

    I would love to hear your insights on getting potential clients to even consider social media strategies, and allowing the “firewalls” that they have surrounded themselves with to come down. Do you point to specific case studies or companies?

    One specific element you may want to consider recommending in the measurement section is using Google’s Webmaster Tools. I find it very helpful to check inbound links, indexing issues, keywords … all helpful measurements.

    Joe Magenniss last blog post..Looking for a Leader Online

  • Sharyn Sears

    Thanks! A much-needed contribution. Here’s my question — how much of my social media (or, digital profile) energy/time should be spent RESPONDING TO other people’s pings of me? It’s just as easy as with anything else to go totally reactive…I join Facebook, next thing I know I have 30 requests to become people’s friend. Is that worth as much, more or less than proactively putting my own stuff out there and recruiting “meaningful” friends. Same experience with Linked In….lots of connection, most of it truly…content free. Your thoughts?

  • Sharyn Sears

    Thanks! A much-needed contribution. Here’s my question — how much of my social media (or, digital profile) energy/time should be spent RESPONDING TO other people’s pings of me? It’s just as easy as with anything else to go totally reactive…I join Facebook, next thing I know I have 30 requests to become people’s friend. Is that worth as much, more or less than proactively putting my own stuff out there and recruiting “meaningful” friends. Same experience with Linked In….lots of connection, most of it truly…content free. Your thoughts?

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  • http://www.chuckypita.com Chuckypita

    I love your website! It’s such a great set up and sheesh, people respond to you! Congratulations on making me have a desire to write and ebook. :)

    Chuckypitas last blog post..Ron Paul – Global Summit 20 countries – Bretton Woods 2 – One Central Bank?

  • http://www.chuckypita.com Chuckypita

    I love your website! It’s such a great set up and sheesh, people respond to you! Congratulations on making me have a desire to write and ebook. :)

    Chuckypitas last blog post..Ron Paul – Global Summit 20 countries – Bretton Woods 2 – One Central Bank?

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