The Role and Importance of Social Media (within Going Abroad)

Overview Social media in today’s world Going Abroad and social media Networking LinkedIn – an alternative to facebook Positive outcomes of social media networking Importance of social media within the project Importance of social media networking for businesses Questions and Suggestions Time to go online

Social Media Forms of electronic communication Through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.

How Many People Use the Top Social Media? (Sept 2012) Facebook: 955 million users, more than 42 million pages 955 million usersmore than 42 million pages Youtube: 4 billion views per day 4 billion views per day Skype: 250 million monthly connected users 250 million monthly connected users LinkedIn: 175 million users 175 million users Twitter: 140 million users 140 million users Ebay: 100 million active users 100 million active users Instagram: 80 million registered users, 4 billion photos 80 million registered users, 4 billion photos Flickr: 75 million users 75 million users WordPress: 74 million blogs 74 million blogs

What do these numbers tell us? Social media are an enormous part of today’s everyday life Many of your potential business partners, as well as customers are online →You and your business should be too!

How Going Abroad uses social media Homepage Our one-way communication channel Information about the course of the project the Success Team method contact information etc. Target group Everybody involved in the project participants (associated) partner organisations someone who is possibly interested in becoming part of Going Abroad

Project Participants and Profiles Marietta Stein Cross-Border Success Team: Southern Sweden As a travel agent and tour guide I take interested people on a trip through our small state, according to my motto – relaxation, adventure, experience. You will be picked up with an air-conditioned mini bus in front of your door (8 guests). We provide drinks and a memory picture will make this day unforgettable for you.picked Your online business card Here, potential customers, municipalities and other Going Abroad participants can find information about you and your business.

Facebook Two-way communication channel Going Abroad Team Posts pictures, dates, links etc. Likes partner organisations, pages of project participants → Easy sharing of information, keeping in touch → networking YOU can Post your own pictures, dates, comments, links etc. Get easily in touch with us or other people who like the page. See everything Going Abroad posts Target group People who are already involved in the project and who regularly want to be updated.

Going Abroad Blog Two-way communication channel Same information as on facebook + Platform for discussions where participants can - Share their thoughts - Find help, information, inspiration Target group Everybody involved in the project Mostly participants who use it to interact with each other.

Examples for blog entries Describe your business and add the link to your homepage or a picture You want to expand your tourism business to one of the other participating countries but you need tips for sightseeing there? Ask for tips on the blog – participants who live in that region will surely be happy to help you! You have added a new product to your selection? Post a picture of the product and tell the others about it- they might be the first ones to buy it and can give you valuable feedback. Your Skype meetings don’t work as well as they should- start a discussion about how that situation can be improved You found a cheap supplier for wool and you know that other participants work with wool too – please post the link to the supplier’s homepage. Someone might know an even cheaper one or be very thankful for your money-saving tip.

Guidelines for a Skype meeting prepare our conversation very careful and straight accept small steps for reaching the plan accept various opinions accept that good technical equipment is necessary Skype meetings require discipline, concentration and respect for ever team member. It´s important to focus and prepare yourself before a meeting. Long-time planning for meetings is essential. Everyone should be able to lead a meeting by respecting the rules of working in Success Teams.

Going Abroad’s aim is to Strengthen the position of female entrepreneurs with micro-businesses. Help our participants to growth and to establish their business on an international level. One of the project’s cornerstones is therefore the implementation of cross-border networks that simplify the steps to export and international trade.

Networking the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business You as an entrepreneur need a group of people that you can trust, respect and that supports you a group of people you want to do business with

(Social Media) Networking pays off The better you know another participant and their business the more you can learn from them the better you can help each other the better you can judge their level of experience and their level of professionalism Over time, getting to know each other better will bring you many benefits in terms of contacts, exchange of experience and references. Networking is a long term strategy for entrepreneurs and their businesses.

LinkedIn an alternative to facebook A profile on LinkedIn gives you the option to create networks with 150 million+ members. Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities." Join groups such as European Female Entrepreneurs or Female Entrepreneur Association Make yourself visible for potential customers, employers and other people who want to extend their network.

We expect YOU to profit from this international cooperation in terms of (Cultural) diversity Inspiration, support and concrete ideas on how to promote your business Training and education to further develop your skills and to realise your potential and resulting from that Economic growth for your business

Positive outcomes of using social media within the project You Create and become part of a dialogue → Input, feedback, help Overcome the physical borders between you and members in other countries Build long lasting relationships with business partners and eventually customers → New business opportunities

The Importance of Social Media Networking for Businesses Over the last couple of years, social media has grown rapidly and has become more and more important. Today it is a key communication tool Fan sites and business pages are powerful tools that can reach many people and can help you to promote your business.

The 3 most important reasons for small businesses to use social media are to: Connect with your customers (create a dialogue) Make yourself and your business visible Promote your business

You need to reach people where they are – on Web 2.0! Social media has made the world a much smaller place where you can do business with someone from across the globe. Don’t be afraid to use it! Learn to use this tool efficiently Help each other Ask for help It is worth it!

Thank you for your attention! Any questions? Let‘s get you online!

Sources hthttp:// FreeDigitalPhotos.net media/ (by Caig Smith.) media/(by Caig Smith