What is your goal for Social Media?

[Johnnie Firari]

As a follow up to many conversation I have with others, I thought I would share something.

What is your goal for Social Media? Most every time I ask it, I get the same generic shoot from the hip answer, "To get more business". Goals are important and set for various reasons but they need to be realistic and measurable. So many people start looking for a ROI and expecting more business, when they have never clearly mapped out a plan. It does not have to be complex, just clearly set some goals and the time in which you will invest to reach those goals. You will find your goals may be different from others and that is OK. You may have a different goals for using twitter, than you do for FaceBook, it is OK. Be prepared to change your goals as your business needs change. Be scared because you may discover your goal for Social Media is not "to get more business".

So what is your goal for Social Media?

[Nicki Laycoax]

Networking. The more people I know and the more in tune to what is going on around me, the more apt I am at growing my client base.

[Chris Sullivan]

Ditto. Networking being the keyword there!

[Johnnie Firari]

Do you have separate/individual goals for how you use twitter, FB, SI, LinkedIn, etc..?

[Nicki Laycoax]

LinkedIn-Strictly business

Twitter-Business mainly, Casual minimally

Facebook-Casually connecting with my business contacts. Constantly keeping up with my friends...

[Lorraine Ball]

This is my number one reason for being active in social media. It helps to build traffic to my website, but only when I am referred by people i have met along the way.

[Johnnie Firari]

Has your goals changed since you first stepped into Social Media?

[Nicki Laycoax]

Not that I can recall...

[Sara Croft]

Personally: My goal is to network, share ideas and thoughts with friends, and keep in touch with people.

Business: My goal is to spread the word about my business! I work for a nonprofit, and my department's services are free! In the end, it's not about getting referrals or clients, it's about really helping people.

[Johnnie Firari]

Like this!! Good stuff, thanks for sharing..

[Jillian Koeneman]

Learning. Whether its learning about our clients needs or keeping up with the most current web trends, I use social media to learn and expand my knowledge base.

[Johnnie Firari]

I have gained so much knowledge form twitter for sure...

[Susan Young]

It's a great way to get to know people (and their businesses) better online, after you've met them in person, and to keep in touch. For me, it's beneficial as I cannot network in person as often with two small kids at home.