by Lorrie Thomas

When I am asked about social media and get the “what do I do with social media for marketing”? question, I stop the conversation and suggest that the brain get re-trained to think of social media as an interactive Rolodex.

We don’t “tweet” to make millions, get on Facebook to win new accounts or get on LinkedIn.com to get venture capital.

We use social media to make, build and sustain relationships!

Marketing is all about maximizing relationships - what makes social media marketing such a remarkable asset to organizations it’s ability to manage relationships and stay in touch for life.

If you are on Facebook, you will likely update your photos, status and more.  On LinkedIn, you will update your job status, position and email address.  With Twitter, your contact base will grow and if you are part of the active tweepulation, then you’ll be able to connect forever.  It’s never about using one social media tool - it’s about using several social media tools to build your credibility, visibility and relate-ability.

Your current and prospective customers will use social media differently (some like tweeting, some are big on blogs) so be in several places and keep current so the people that are seeking you out can find you.  In this ick economy, more people are using LinkedIn to reconnect with colleagues to get that next job or reach out to contractors since they are managing more work with fewer resources.

Business cards are sooooo 1982 - use social media as your online Rolodex to stay in touch (and get rid of those old-school biz card holders!)