A common complaint amongst many online business owners is that they don’t do enough social networking. It’s important to social network at all times, as talking to more people about your business is one of the best ways to expose them to it; especially if they never would have been exposed to it otherwise. Plus, with social network efforts, you will come across as friendlier and more trustworthy, which is always great for business. If you’re about to go on summer vacation, there’s no reason why you can’t improve your social network efforts while you’re away. Here are five tips to help you social network while vacationing. They’re easy enough so that anyone can do them and they’ll help you market your online business online and off.
1. Restaurants
In order to social network while vacationing, it might pay to prepare at least a week beforehand. Have some business cards made up that include your social media information – your Facebook and Twitter URLs, and maybe a few other social networks if you participate in them enough. Then, the next time you go into a restaurant with one of those fishbowls asking for your contact information, slip your business card in.
Another good idea is to find the Facebook page of the restaurant and become a fan. Then, take a photo of your meal with your mobile phone and leave a small review on their page. You never know who might read it and that could bring you some online business if you’re lucky.
Many people go out to eat more frequently while on summer vacation. If you’re looking to social network while vacationing, this is a prime opportunity to extend your social network.
2. Hotels
The same concept can be used for hotels that you stay at. Take a photo of your room and become a fan of the Facebook page of the hotel or the Twitter account and leave a review. Good or bad, you’re bound to get attention. And that’s what social network efforts are all about.
3. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
No matter how you’re traveling, you’re bound to meet new people. This is a great opportunity to tell people about your business and to extend your social network every further. Don’t be that person that talks incessantly of themselves. However, most people will ask you what you do when they meet you. This is your opportunity to tell them. Or you can offer to send them a Facebook or Twitter message by asking for their information. This is a great way to meet new people, but it’s also a great way to social network while vacationing.
4. Internet Cafes
When you go into a new town, find the local internet café and nonchalantly leave your business card near the computer. Since the computer is right there, a person is more likely to search for your Facebook or Twitter profile than if you were to leave the card in the restroom, for instance. The more cards you leave, the more likely you are to extend your social network. And if you can manage to do this in a few strange towns, like you’d be able to on a road trip, you’ll do something most marketers only dream about. You’ll expose your brand to entirely new types of people, thus creating that spark that could cause your social network to spread like wildfire.
5. The Library
Similar to internet cafes, many libraries have computers that are free for anyone to use. These are also prime locations to leave your business card. Don’t leave too many. Just leave a few, on a few random computers, and hope that someone uses them to search for your profiles. This is a great way to social network while vacationing and, like all the other tips, you never quite know who will see the information you leave behind. You may end up making a connection that takes your business to the next level. You’ll never know if you don’t make the effort.
The lesson here is that you don’t necessarily have to be online to social network while vacationing, at least in the online sense. You can be anywhere talking to anyone and you can slip in your Facebook URL or your Twitter handle. All the exposure helps and your social network will grow exponentially because of it.
You now have five ways to social network while vacationing. Use these tips to your advantage and spread the word far and wide that your online venture is open for business.
