As regular readers of my emails will know, we are in Bulgaria right now and one of the projects I am involved with will hopefully bring the internet to all our local villages.
I say ‘hopefully’ because there are still many hoops to jump through but it would mean increased work and educational opportunities for the inhabitants of those villages…
Just like the ones you get every day with your internet connection!
I know that sometimes I certainly take that for granted but I also know how powerful that global connection can be and how it can literally change lives. Certainly out here where the technical advances that have improved city life have yet to reach rural folk, it would make a huge difference (if you are wondering why I’ve included a picture of a donkey then please see my previous email!)
With that in mind, I got to thinking what I would suggest to someone who was brand new to the internet and wanted to use it to boost their income or make a full-time living.
One of the first things I would suggest is utilizing social media as you can not only do so in your own language but it’s also one of the easiest ways technically to connect with a potential audience.
With that in mind, here’s an excellent guide from Social Media Examiner on getting started with a business on social media which is worth reading even if you consider yourself an expert on one or more platforms because it contains loads of useful links:
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/getting-started/
Of course, you need a plan for your social media campaigns (you know I’m a fan of plans!) and luckily Hootsuite have provided them for you here along with a useful tutorial:
http://blog.hootsuite.com/how-to-create-a-social-media-marketing-plan/
Buffer also has a nice tutorial on the same subject along with graphics and charts if you’re a more visual person:
https://blog.bufferapp.com/social-media-marketing-plan
Assuming you already have a site or blog – or plan to build one which is what I would suggest to any newbie as another essential step – then this from Blog Tyrant is a great take on integrating your social media platforms with that and also on advising clients who want that as a service:
http://www.blogtyrant.com/social-media-small-business/
As you know, social media is ever evolving and especially so on Facebook. It’s essential to keep on top of its regular changes and these latest ones are especially beneficial to anyone running a Facebook-based business:
https://www.facebook.com/business/news/pages-messaging-updates
If you’re not getting the results you want from your social media marketing or are only just getting started as with my hypothetical newbie, then take a moment to read these 10 Laws of Social Media Marketing.
They may just change everything for you:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/218160
And to make sure you’re using the latest social media tactics, here is a round-up of Top Ten Tips that are working now:
http://contently.com/strategist/2015/07/28/top-10-social-media-tips-from-buffer/
Finally, if there was one thing I would tell anyone who wanted to get started business-wise on the internet, it’s that anything is possible.
Motivational quotes and ideas are bandied around a lot in this context but it’s because mindset really is fundamental to success.
That’s why I’ve chosen this week’s TED talk given by a hugely successful tech entrepreneur who had to overcome more than most to get there:
