Social Media Workshop Takes the Twitch out of Tweeting

Does Twitter make you twitch? LaTanya Orr of Selah Branding, and Design, Detroit, says social media scares some entrepreneurs.

“I constantly have clients that say to me, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing. Can you help me?’ ” she said.

Orr, 44, has been helping businesses with their online branding needs since 1997. She said many of her clients feel bombarded and don’t have time or are afraid to use social media, so she decided to gather them in one spot and teach them how to navigate their way through social media together.

Orr organized an informal social media workshop Friday at the Woodward in Royal Oak.

“I like helping new startups brand themselves,” she said. “I tell them social media is important. It helps your business stand out and be competitive.”

She offers this advice for businesses that want to use Twitter and Facebook but don’t know where to start:

Don’t be afraid

Many businesses are resistant to use social media to advertise and promote. Orr said you must get over your fear and learn to embrace the technology.

“Social Media is here,” she said. “It’s not going away. If you don’t know how to use it, get help. There are many experts and workshops out there. Find someone who can help you.”

How much time should you spend?

Orr said many people think you have to be on Facebook or Twitter all day to be effective. Not true, she said.

“On the professional side, it’s not (how) much you do it, as long as you are consistent,” she said. “You may want to do it just once a week, that’s OK. Just make sure your voice is being heard."

Orr said to start out slow. Make commentaries about subjects you’re an expert on and dedicate a minimum of five hours a week for social media.

“You can decide you want to do it all in one day or spread it out through the week," she said. “But you have to make a minimum effort.”

It’s free

There is no cost to set up a Facebook fan page, but there are many rewards.

Orr said some of the ways you can build a following is by offering special offers or creating events. She said every business should take advantage of this form of free advertising.

Integrate your social media

It can be time-consuming to use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn separately, so Orr recommends you integrate them.

“You can use something like Ping or Hootesuite to update all of your social media at once,” she said. Orr said she prefers Hootesuite, which operates like Dashboard and allows you to manage and monitor multiple social media sites in one spot.

She said marketers have always agreed that the best advertising is word of mouth. These days, you can spread your message globally “in one swoop,” she said.

Keep professional, personal life separate

After you get the hang of social media, Orr advises, “Be careful.”

“Google your name,” she said. “Your Facebook page comes up at the top. Today, people can look at you from a different angle.”

Orr recommends you take advantage of privacy settings and keep your personal profile personal. Then set up a Facebook page for your business only, and always use discretion when you post comments.