It’s been over 6 months now since I started this blog with the aim of sharing a few ideas, developing my own book content (it’s coming soon) and learning about the social web. As a result, I’ve learnt a few things along the way that I wanted to share with you so that you can apply them to your business if you are using social media or are thinking about using social media in your business.

Here are the 16 lessons that I’ve learnt so far:

1. Define your goals to keep you on track – this all has to have a purpose otherwise how will you know what you are doing, where you are going, what you are creating and how you are getting on.
2. We can be everywhere – the internet opens up potential markets across the globe and, so, thinking globally will help you expand your reach. Don’t be limited by geography.
3. The internet has a long memory and is an echo chamber – Be careful what you say and how you act as the internet has a long memory as everything gets archived
4. It doesn’t have to be expensive – most of the social tools on the internet, at their basic level, are free.
5. Don’t try and be everywhere – reflecting on lesson 2 can mean that we get over-stretched. So, pick what fits and works for you.
6. Be helpful and contribute to others – be social, comment and help. If you write a blog…offer to write (guest post) for someone else
7. SEO is important but great content is more important – this is a bit of an art/science that I have not mastered. It is important but don’t spend too much time crafting SEO-optimised content. Concentrate on generating good content first and foremost
8. This use up a lot of time – limit yourself to a set amount of time/activity to make sure that it doesn’t take over your time.
9. Get to know and learn from the players in your niche – this is all about leverage. If you can get to know them that’s great and they can be a great help. But, realise they are busy people too and always be respectful. Reading and commenting on their stuff is a great start.
10. Spamming your readers = no traffic – be social and act social. You wouldn’t/don’t sell to your friends, do you?
11. Not everyone is going to like you – there is so much truth in the variation of the old saying ‘You can please all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time’
12. Do a little often – social media takes commitment and so doing a little often is a better way of getting results rather than showing up on an infrequent basis. Remember: if you only show up some of the time what does that say to your readers or followers
13. Find the niche forums for your interest or business – forums are places where people with niche interests gather. Find one that applies to you and get involved answering and posting questions.
14. It takes time, persistence, consistency and commitment to generate results – relationships, trust and credibility are not built overnight so be patient. However, don’t forget to measure your progress to see how you are doing. If not on track then do something about it.
15. Anyone can do it, but NOT everyone ‘does’ it – It will make sense for many businesses to have a social media presence and many businesses are talking about it. However, there is a lot of talk and your competitive advantage may come from actually doing something rather than just talking about it. Only, if it makes sense for your business.
16. Pick and keep refining your niche – Your niche will not always be what you think it is so keep think about your target market and refine your content accordingly. Alternatively, listen to your readers/customers and let them tell you what your niche is or is becoming.

These things I have not learnt in isolation but have learnt from a number of people. These include Chris Brogan, Seth Godin, John Jantsch, Darren Rowse and Brian Clark. Thank you to all of them for helping me on my journey.

What lessons have you learnt?

Thanks to thiquinho for the image