Getting Established in a New Market After a Move

The task of getting reestablished in a new community after you have relocated can be daunting. You have left behind close friends, familiar restaurants, colleagues, job connections, work associations, your church and all your favorite well-known watering holes. All of your go-to connections are gone, and you can be left wondering where to turn. But not too worry, help is on the way.

However, to make you feel at home in a new place, social media has opened up a whole new world. There is no need to troll the Yellow Pages and hunt for associations to join or wait for an introduction from a new colleague. Social media puts you in the driver’s seat after a move. After you are done checking things off your moving house checklist, put a line through getting established. Use these tips to become a local in no time.

After the moving truck has left the driveway, and all your moving supplies have been put away, and you have put the last stamp on your moving announcements, pull out your computer and start surfing. 

Professional Associations   

Many community and professional organizations use social media. They like to harness the power of social media to recruit and retain new and old members. LinkedIn and Facebook are two good sites for getting connected in your new community.

Local chapters of professional associations can be viewed online and you can use a social media site to make an introduction. Facebook can also be used to obtain information on when and where a particular group meets. You can also discover local colleagues from your new place of employment and use this as a stepping stone to getting established in your new community.

Getting to Know You

One of your first tasks after a big move is to become familiar with your new city. You want find out where the locals eat, discover the freshest organic fruit stand, the best daycare or the hottest nightspot. Whatever your taste, social media opens businesses to new community members. Browse different social media sites to learn of clothing stores, bakeries and more.

On Facebook, simply type in your town and you will be surprised to discover how many local businesses, hospitals, doctors, churches, and more use social media. There is no need to stay in the dark about local services after moving to a new community. And, don’t forget after finding a great new store or service to sign up for their Twitter feed. Getting in the loop speeds up your acclimation to your new city.

Word of Mouth

So, if you are a spouse of a transferred employee or you are striking out on your own and moving to a new town, harness social media to make connections and land a new job.

Browse your LinkedIn account for associates with connections to your new city.

They can prove to be a wealth of information and a source of networking to secure a new job. The same can be said about professional organizations. Many have Facebook sites and be sure to sign up to get the inside scoop on upcoming jobs.

Just for the Fun of it

If you are one of the lucky ones who has a great new job, a beautiful house, and instant connections with your new colleagues in your new city, what you will be looking for is fun and where to have it.

Many people who share similar interests have hooked up on social media sites to advertise and spread the word. Popular lakes, chess clubs, boating groups, off-road enthusiasts and more all advertise their groups and actively seek new members.

Go For It

Don’t be shy. Social media allows you to test the waters and get a feel of a new group and their philosophy before joining them. And, before you know, you will be an old local.   

Social Tool Confusion: Learning Which Tool Works for Which Strategy

The explosion of social media and social networking has altered the landscape of advertising and the interaction between businesses and customers. These two forces have begun to shape and change the way we conduct our businesses. We are now able to engage directly with a customer; entice them with specials and promotions; and inform them personally of changes and additions to our product lines.

But, as business people, we need to know the similarities and differences of social media and social networking to use each to its full potential. Each term has a tendency to be used interchangeably. There is often confusion about the function of social media and social networking.  However, as you will see, social media and social networking are distinct entities which have a defined role.

Similar, but Different

Let’s define social media and social networking. Understanding each term will allow you to position your company and develop business strategies to capitalize on each application:

• Social Media: Social media can best be described as a tool to impart and deliver information to an extensive audience.  Social media directs the message to a customer and conveys this information by way of the internet. The seller is directing the flow of information and the consumer serves as the receiver.
• Social Networking: Social networking connects with your client and builds a relationship. Bonds are formed with individuals and groups who share a familiar interest or activity. Give and take is paramount with social networking. You continually engage a consumer, and they become a partner alongside you.         

Social media and social networking are really two separate ideas and, therefore, should have two distinct roles within your marketing, brand, and publicity strategies.

Social Networking:

• You are an active participant with the consumer.
• A dialogue is created with the customer and a relationship is formed. 
• An exchange of ideas, concerns, comments, and praise are welcomed and encouraged.

Social Media

• This is an instrument on which you use to direct information to a customer.
• The business is solely responsible for the flow and direction of information.

Therefore, it can be said that social networking is the “act” of engaging your customer while social media is the tool we use to conduct the conversation.

Leveraging the Differences

Understanding each function and purpose of social media and social networking allows a business the opportunity to effectively utilize these two mediums to their maximum potential. A company’s continued growth and success can be increased with successful social media and social networking skills.

Put those skills together to deliver a powerful message that attracts customers, maintains current clientele, and builds a powerful platform to launch a new product or sustain an older one.  Your success in the 21^st century might just depend on it.   


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