When I first came online to “do” business, social media was small and quiet. Not nearly the robust powerhouse that we know now. But one thing I learned quickly about social media as it grew was that it was a must for a work-at-home entrepreneur like myself to be involved with. There are many reasons why you should as well. For many work at homers it has been dubbed as the Internet’s water cooler. It is surely a way in which we can connect and where relationships can form.

For me, social media is key to several important aspects of the work-at-home business, including:

Relationships –  Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms allow us to establish relationships like never before.  With just the click of a mouse we are able to make contact with, get to know, and start up a conversation with a complete stranger who could in turn become a joint venture partner, a client, a mentor, or even a friend.

All of the above has happened for me in the last few years of “doing business” online and utilizing the amazing avenue of social media.  I have met friends, forged joint venture relationships, followed and learned from mentors and worked for clients in almost every state in the nation and some other countries as well.

Finding Your Audience – With the many groups, associations, forums, lists, and more that categorize people by their interests, age, social status, and more the opportunity is there like never before to tap into a number of “databases” if you will of people with among whom you can find the audience that you’re looking to serve.

This is how social media allows for the entrepreneur to instantly connect with his or her audience and quickly begin networking with those they wish to serve.

Communication – Before doing business with social media one would have to jump through many more hoops to establish a connection with someone in order to enter into a conversation with that person.  I shudder at the thought of “cold calling” and “lead purchasing” though they have merit and value in business, maybe even in today’s marketplace. I, for one, am grateful for the invention of social media which allows for communication with my potential audience and my leads without such grueling tasks.

Establishing Yourself as An Expert – Of all the mentioned benefits, this is likely the greatest of all.  Social media gives the entrepreneur equal footing and a platform from which to speak. This allows for you to create a name for yourself as well as establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field much faster than ever before.  This is why it is important for the entrepreneur to begin to share their message, loud and clear with anyone who will listen.

I encourage you to use the tools and benefits that social media brings to the table for the work-at-home entrepreneur.  You will be glad you did.

In addition, I know that social media, and staying involved in it, can sometimes be a daunting task.  That is why I had to develop a social media system for myself in order to stay on track.  If you’re curious what is involved in my system, why not download my FREE Ultimate Social Media Systems Checklist.