Seven Social Networking Strategies for Smaller Businesses

4. Encouraging Employee Use, Not Abuse, of Social Networking

Goldmine: As Gartner's Austin puts it, "The best practice around social software is to walk before you run. Allow small pockets of experimentation, to do that you need to make it clear you're not going to punish users who have been out there. You need to make it clear they can share -- user-driven innovation is good, not bad."

Landmine: Forrester's Owyang offers similar counsel but with a cautionary note. "The savvy companies will harness social relationships for the betterment of the company, and companies who react in fear may unfortunately, shut them down," says Owyang. "A company's goal is to have their employees connected to the community; with this said, companies should develop internal policies to leverage the benefits and mitigate the risks of security, productivity, and personal privacy."

Seven Social Networking Strategies for Smaller Businesses:

1. Prospecting on a Social Network
2. Sourcing Talent On A Social Network
3. Building Widgets For Social Networking Sites
4. Encouraging Employee Use, Not Abuse, Of Social Networking
5. Building A Custom Social Network For Customers
6. Building A Custom Social Network For Employees Or Suppliers
7. Building Brand Awareness On A Social Network

Next Page: Building a Custom Social Network for Customers

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