Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, WordPress, LinkedIn, Posterous, Instagram, Tumblr, Flickr or some other type of social media outlet? If so, when was the last time you posted? What are you using it for? Is it just because everyone else is doing it or are you using these outlets to maximize your online presence?

You see most companies think that since their competitors have a Facebook page or blog or anything else, they need to as well. In theory, that’s true.  But the reality is that most companies never really get the purpose of social media and therefore start the account and leave it sit. Maybe they go heavy with posts on their blog and then the excitement wears off and the last time they posted was sometime last Summer. If that’s you, you have one of two choices: 1. Start posting at least three times a week, or 2. Clean up the web and delete your account.

Why do I say this? Actually it all has to do with the whole point of social media in the first place; it’s SOCIAL media. The first person to “tweet” wasn’t doing it to make a bunch of money. They were just trying to socialize. The first person to post a blog wasn’t trying to further their career. They wanted to speak their mind.

The goal of the social side of media is to engage others, make new connections and start new relationships. It’s also a numbers game. The more “friends” you have, the more exposure you get. But the challenge that companies have when trying their hand at social media, is that they forget to actually be social and then end up frustrated because they never see their numbers go up.

So, here are a few little tips to help you increase your numbers:

1. For every three serious things you say online, say one fun thing. For example, let’s say you are a runner when you’re not working.  Ask your audience what their favorite running socks are. If you go out for coffee, talk about your drink of choice. It sounds silly, but you’re being transparent.
2. Ask for your audience’s opinion on a topic. This engages your audience and starts a dialogue. It shows that you care.
3. If you’re going to blog, then be sure to blog at least three times a week. Anything less than that is a waste of time. And again, apply rule one to your blog. Show people that you are a real person.
4. The CEO and/or other leaders of your company need to blog regularly. This helps establish your company as one that regularly communicates with your customers.
5. Pictures, pictures, pictures. People want to see YOU. They want to know YOU.

I guess in all of this, there’s really only one key idea I’d like to get across. Be TRANSPARENT. When economic times are tight, people typically become increasingly relationship oriented. By being transparent to your audience and letting them know that you’re one of them, then new positive relationships can begin and trust will be established, potentially leading to new business relationships.

If you’re looking for some good advice or just need help getting started and would like to talk more, let me know. I’d love to discuss how Catalyst can assist you in becoming more transparent online.

Editor’s note: While I was working on this blog I stopped for a 22 oz. iced mocha with whipped cream, took a picture of it, posted it to Instagram and tweeted about the whole experience while also promoting the coffee place I got it from using GPS. Ahhh, transparency!  http://instagr.am/p/GrrBi/