Summary: For start-ups and entrepreneurs, social media = marketing. Have a social media marketing goal and work hard to achieve it. That should be your strategy!<br> Guy Kawasaki provides some practical tips on how to utilize social media:<br> <br> * You do not need to hire consultants and experts to do it.<br> * Add videos and graphics to your social media.<br> * Use the social media sites that your potential and existing customers use. If your audience is not on Twitter, then don’t tweet!<br> <br> The smaller the business, the more important social media is – it is your avenue to differentiate yourself, build a brand, and dominate a niche.<br> Many businesses are afraid of social media because they don’t have anything to say. However, it is about what your potential and existing customers/followers want to hear, not about what you have to say!<br> You’re providing a valuable service via social media. Customers/followers get information they want – whether it is content you create or content you share from other places. If your business does create original content, make sure it is written by subject matter experts – not unqualified people. Just because Janice the admin assistant or Ian the intern has a Facebook page, it does not mean they should be writing your businesses’ social media posts!<br> About Guy:<br> Guy has a diverse background. According to Guy, he “worked for Apple Inc. – a few times, Google, started some companies, became a speaker/writer, and is now chief evangelist for Canva”.<br> Canva is an online graphic design service that allows anyone to make awesome graphics. And Guy knows how to use social media for his business!<br> He co-wrote the book, The Art of Social Media, which is an essential guide to get the most bang for your time, effort, and money.<br> Challenged Issue:<br> Implement social media marketing as a core part of your business!<br> Guy’s Actionable Tips:<br> <br> * Every posting should have a graphic or video.<br> * If you shoot video, upload it natively to Facebook.<br> * On Twitter, include a graphic and up to four pictures.<br> <br> Top Quotes:<br> <br> * “Canva is kind of life changing if you’ve been struggling with graphics.”<br> * “Basically, if I am breathing, I am on social media.”<br> * “You really have to learn by doing.”<br> * “There is no loser in this!”<br> * “Most CEOs suck at social media.”<br> * “If you feel you are at a particular level, to be honest, you are probably wrong.”<br> <br> Guest Links:<br> <br> * Guy Kawasaki (<a href="http://www.guykawasaki.com">guykawasaki.com</a>)<br> * Canva (<a href="http://www.canva.com">canva.com</a>)<br> * The Art of Social Media (<a href="http://guykawasaki.com/books/the-art-of-social-media/">http://guykawasaki.com/books/the-art-of-social-media/</a>)<br> * The Art of the Start (<a href="http://guykawasaki.com/books/the-art-of-the-start/">http://guykawasaki.com/books/the-art-of-the-start/</a>)<br> <br> Resources:<br> <br> * Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com">facebook.com</a>)<br> * Twitter (<a href="http://www.twitter.com">twitter.com</a>)<br> * Pinterest (<a href="http://www.pinterest.com">pinterest.com</a>)<br> * LinkedIn (<a href="http://www.linkedin.com">linkedin.com</a>)<br> * Nike (<a href="http://www.nike.com">nike.com</a>)<br> * General Motors (<a href="http://www.gm.com">gm.com</a>)<br> * Proctor & Gamble (<a href="http://www.pg.com/en_US/index.shtml">http://www.pg.com/</a> )<br> * Google Plus (<a href="http://www.plus.google.com">www.plus.google.com</a>)<br> * Instagram (<a href="http://www.instagram.com">instagram.com</a>)<br> * Richard Branson (<a href="http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson">http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson</a>)<br> * Rand Paul (<a href="http://www.paul.senate.gov/">http://www.paul.senate.gov/</a>)<br> * The Essential 14–Day Guide to Cutting Your Working Hours and Increasing Your Im...
