Is Social Media in your 2012 Marketing Plan?

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being extremely knowledgeable) where do you rate your understanding of how to use social media?

Don't be ashamed if you gave yourself a low number. You are not alone. If you gave yourself a "3" today strive to get to a 5 or 7 in the next year. Social media is not going away, and there is a chance your competitors are using it to get a leg up on you now.

My fascination with social media is because it wasn't established as a concept 1000 years ago. I can't read the writings of Greek philosophers who will show me the way. There are excellent books about social media. They have been written by people who chose to jump into it and learn by doing. Their expertise is now in great demand.

Suggestion #1: Log onto Facebook. In the search section enter the names of 3-5 competitors of yours. Do they have a Facebook page? Do they have followers who "like" them? Are they engaging in dialogue with their prospects and customers?

This is the first installment of a series that will address wading into social media. Please join us.