Social media offers a great platform for MSPs to build their brand and there is hardly any cost associated with it.

Do you already have social media profiles? If you are late to the party or if your profiles are not doing as well as you would like on social media, here are some tips  that can come handy.

Look for connections: The first thing to do, once you sign up at a social networking site is to look for relevant connections. Search the site for your target audience. Ask questions like:

• Who are you looking for—are you looking for potential clients, employers or vendors?
• Where can I find them—think about which communities your target audience would be a part of and join those communities.
• Other parameters—do you want to focus on a particular market segment by geographical location or by age group or by income group?

Set your parameters first and then search accordingly. Otherwise it’s very easy to get lost in the huge web of social networking sites.

Personalize: Once you decide on your target audience, the next thing to do is send ‘Connection’ requests to them. When doing so, personalize your communication. Don’t just send the program generated request. Greet the recipient by name, add on a line or two about what you do and why you are interested in adding them to your network. A little bit of personalization goes a long way in creating fruitful business relationships.

It’s a two-way street: One mistake most MSPs do, is thinking that the social networking sites are broadcasting/advertising platforms. Sure, they serve as a good medium to get your voice heard, but that’s not the only purpose they serve. Social networking sites are essentially a platform for sharing information. You’ll have more people joining your network if you provide something of interest to them. Tempting as it may sound, don’t use your networking account to explicitly advertise your products/services. The aim of networking is to forge relationships that are beneficial to you and your followers, not shouting about your offerings from roof-tops.

Tips: Share Day Zero alerts, Cyber security tips, IT articles that will be of interest to your Audience.

Add value: Join groups where you can be of help. Answer questions that are being put up at online forums. Add value to the users of the network and they’ll automatically start following you.

Update your profile: Once you’re on the social networking site, it is important to ensure that your profile is regularly updated. Have you added on a new service line or launched a new product? Your profile should reflect this information. Also, updating profiles at regular intervals tells others that you’re active on social media.

Respond: When you have people interacting with you on the social networking platform, make sure you respond to them. Your contacts should feel they’re in a relationship with a real person, not an automated user.

Handling the double edged sword: The best part about being on social networking site is that it enhances your visibility. The worst part is also just that. One poor comment about you or your company will soon be all over the place on the web causing irreparable damage. Some sites offer moderation option where a comment will be published on your wall only after a moderator approves it. Where such options do not exist, make sure you check your profile often and respond to comments immediately.

Connect offline: Once you’ve established a pretty good relationship with your online contacts, you could start getting in touch with them off the social networking site as well. Ask if you can e-mail them your company newsletters. Call your contacts and see if you can have a lunch meeting. While the web is a great way to connect initially, it’s nice to follow-up on important links offline as well.

Like to learn more? Download our MSP marketing whitepaper (How to grow your MSP business using social media).