There is no question or doubt about the impact, power and leverage ‘new media’ can have on business. It’s pretty clear the immediacy and viral nature of how information is delivered and how fast it can spread, good or bad.
New media, social marketing, social networking, it’s all ‘social’. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, Email Marketing, Blogging, Blogtalk Radio all provide funnels now for finding people and having them find you. Using social media for social impact can have a big impact on you, your business and your community.
Believe it or not, there actually is something called The Center for Social Leadership and it has published a book all about this elusive subject, “Social Leadership: A Fresh Vision for Old Problems.”
Create value
According to the Center, social leadership means to “devote one’s life and talents to improving society regardless of social standing, wealth or privilege.” Basically, it’s people like you and me who have the courage to inspire greatness in others. Social leaders deliberately strive to make the world a better place by creating value for others.
Here’s how they do it. They ask themselves:
* What is the best use of my talents?
* What can I do that will positively impact society?
* What was I born to become and accomplish?
These are pretty heavy questions, but the answers result in doing the most good for the most people. Are you ready to accept your calling? To reveal more of your passion and purpose to build your social impact and brand leadership?
Social leaders realize that there’s no longer a need to look to others for answers; they have the power to find solutions. And, while they can and do implement change, having others by their side who believe in their mission is even more powerful.
Here are some ways to get the word out:
* Volunteer at a shelter, a church, a hospital, a kids group
* Form a group, start a program, host a seminar
* Lead a campaign
* Encourage businesses to donate
* Attend city council meetings, run for city council, join a committee
* Organize a fundraiser
You’ve got traditional and now new media to use to ‘get social’. Whatever you decide to do and whatever leadership you decide to commit to, it will impact your business simply because you have stepped up to make your community and the world you live in better.
It’s a sure way to get noticed for all the right reasons!
Author:
Deborah Shane is an author, entrepreneur, radio host and expert. She is the heart and soul of her business education and professional development company, Train with Shane and is in her third year of hosting a weekly business radio show on blogtalkradio.com. She writes for several national business, career and marketing blogs, and websites including smallbiztrends.com, careerealism.com, Internationalbusinesstimes.com, Smartbrief.com and blogher.com Her new book Career Transition-make the shift-the 5 steps to successful career reinvention is available now on amazon.com. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Blogtalkradio @Deborah Shane, or visit www.deborahshane.com.
