The CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals Certification provides a solid foundation to expand into other areas of Information Technology. The CompTIA examinations measure the individual’s basic knowledge of computers and IT technology, such as setting up a workstation, installing software onto a PC, setting up basic security on a PC, and an understanding of basic IT terminology.

QuickCert offers the best Strata certification training materials available. Click Here to read about our offerings.

CompTIA is the agent that sets the standards for the examination, and awards the Strata certificate. However, many training courses are available from several technical training venues, that will prepare the student to take the CompTIA Strata exams.

Once an individual has proven their basic knowledge by obtaining the CompTIA Strata certification, they have proven that they have a foundation for moving on to more complex areas, such as hardware, networking and security. The IT Fundamentals examination measures the test-takers knowledge of PC functionality, components and compatibility.

Jobs for those who are certified with the CompTIA Strata cert include:

• Computer Sales Engineer
• Account Manager
• Business Development Manager
• Other positions that require a basic knowledge of PCs and functionality

Jobs for those who seek to prove a basic understanding of IT principles for further study and certification include:

• Network and Systems Administrators
• Database Administrators
• Programmers and Coders
• Information Technology Managers
• Project Managers

The CompTIA Strata certification is designed for those new to the IT industry, such as those who have just graduated from college and have no work experience in the IT industry. CompTIA also provides the A+ certification, which is more in-depth with regards to computer skills. However, the Strata certification is the most basic and fundamental cert. Reviewers have termed the Strata certification as the “pre-A+” cert.

For individuals who plan to pursue a career in the IT industry, the CompTIA Strata certification is a great place to start. Those in the IT industry speak in a language seemingly all their own. However, many terms are common knowledge among those in the industry. One way to learn the terminology, and to be able to speak intelligently with others in the industry, is to start with the basics. Once you have a grasp of the basic terms and concepts, moving on to other areas of certification is much easier to accomplish. The CompTIA Strata certification provides the foundation for those who seek to obtain additional certifications, as well as those who need just a basic understanding of PC terms and functionality to perform their jobs, such as sales and account personnel.

Strata Examinations

In the US, the main Strata certification is awarded when the individual takes the “IT Fundamentals” exam. In the UK, additional exams are provided, including “PC Functionality,” And “PC Technology.” The IT Fundamentals exam consists of 70 questions. The exam-taker is given 60 minutes to complete the test. A score of 70% is required to pass the test. The IT Fundamentals exam is offered in the languages of English, Spanish, German, Greek, Arabic, Korean, Portuguese and Japanese.

The field of IT is constantly evolving, and with the rapid introduction of new technologies, IT workers must be held to a standard for introductory positions. A+ certification, although currently under scrutiny, is the bedrock for entry-level IT professionals. Understandably, A+ might be slightly outdated and lacks the depth that certain IT positions require, but nevertheless, a basic understanding of the computer and its systems are required for those professionals attempting to join the field. A+ certification is the initial milestone to launch a career in IT and when employers come to that consensus and A+ certification is accepted widely then the IT field will have an streamlined introduction in the form of this certification.

Of all the arguments against A+ certification, the most prominent one states that the certification falls short of finding the comprehension of a person’s ability to use the knowledge it tests. Often people claim that the certification is just not enough for an employee to handle the IT environment. This statement is over generalized and actually points to an entirely different problem with their argument. That problem being not that the certification is faulty, but that there is an assumption for an introductory-level IT professional to have “years of experience” before attempting to partake in the field. The expectation that a new-hire should be ready to hit the ground running with a complete understanding of anything that could be thrown at him or her is not the fault of the A+ certification, but the perception of the employer. The A+ certification is a check mark in a requirement box that is necessary and still relevant.

Many of the arguments against A+ certification also reference the outdated portions of the content it covers. They claim that a certification is only as good as the knowledge that A+ tests and that extraneous, irrelevant and outdated materials are found within the A+ certification criteria. Unfortunately the amount of information and knowledge base required in the IT field is growing at almost an exponential rate. To have a certification or test that comprehensively covered all of IT would be impossible, but a fundamental-level comprehensive test or certification is more than possible, it exists. The A+ certification exploits basic-level knowledge for an IT professional and integrates it to show that, at least, the person completing the course is at a starting-level position understanding of the computer as well as other basic IT subject matters.

A+ certification is the best reference the field has to mark if a potential employee has the required fundamental knowledge to succeed in the field. As a benchmarking tool for employers that understand the necessity for it, A+ certification provides an acceptable baseline for IT mastery. A+ certification clearly shows a person’s understanding of the field, for an introductory level-position, and if widely accepted would have a greater impact on entry-level competence of prospective employees into the IT profession. A+ certified prospects would understand the material and would competently handle the tasks set before them streamlining the hiring process and ensuring that new hires knowledge was adequate.

In discussing tips for negotiating your salary requirements with a new company, or even negotiating a raise, think of this in two phases: one, general preparation; and, two, salary negotiation. Through proper general preparation for an interview or for a word with a senior member of staff, you will be much more confident and persuasive.

A. General Preparation.

When applying for an I.T. job, you may have several interviews for the position. Each round
may involve a different interview panel. Be prepared to be assessed on many different levels, from your business professionalism to how much technical knowledge you have.

Take Care Of Logistics

Confirm the day, time, location, and building. If you are unfamiliar with the street where the organization is located, go there the day before so that you can familiarize yourself with the roads, traffic conditions, and other travel-related information.

Do Some Practice Interviews

If you have a friend who is in the IT industry, ask them to do some dummy runs with you.

Google questions that might be asked of someone who is applying for a position similar to yours. You never know, you may just come across an informative blog.

Be prepared to answer difficult questions.

Here are three generic sample questions:

1. Tell us about a time when you had to explain how your software system worked to a customer?

2. Describe a situation when you had to deal with an irate customer who blamed their technological problems on your company, when, in truth, they had simply failed to follow the directions they were given to set up their system correctly.

3. What strategy would you use for analyzing a user’s requirements?

Dress the Part

As with any job interview, be impeccably groomed and professionally dressed.

If you can, get someone to evaluate your choice of dress codes and accessories. Sometimes you may think something makes you look good when it just puzzles other people.

In addition to creating a great first impression, when you dress up sharply, you naturally radiate a sense of calm and self-assurance.

Prepare Your Mind

While most professional jobs require that we dress well, IT jobs in particular require that we also prepare our minds.

Here are some ways to prepare your mind:

1. Research the company, review their hiring process, and understand what qualifications they are looking for.

2. Prepare a portfolio. Besides all the papers you submitted for your application – cover letter, resume, references, etc – add copies of your certifications, too. Of course you don’t need to carry your actual certification; a photocopy will work just fine. For instance, if you are interviewing for a position as a Microsoft Certified network engineer, bring a copy of your Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and your Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). Even if you are not asked to show any of these, you have the reassurance that you are prepared. This level of confidence will show through when you are asked questions and may swing the balance in your favor over other candidates who may be more nervous because they are ill-prepared.

3. Skim your IT books and your notes, get a feel for the language. You may have someone who asks you technical questions, or you may be able to impress your interviewers by using the correct terminology. While you don’t need to study extensively, and you may never be asked a single technical question, once again, the key to being prepared for an interview is to be over-prepared.

B. Salary Negotiating Tips

Here are two major things you should do when negotiating for a higher salary.

1. Ask directly, not remotely.

While you may not be interviewed in person, but remotely via telephone or videoconferencing, do not email your request for a higher salary than you are currently earning. It may be easier for you to write than to talk, but this is a mistake because you make room for misinterpretations. In person, on the phone, or by video conference, you can answer any objections and clear any misunderstandings immediately.

2. Talk to the person in charge of making salary decisions.

Similar to step # 1, your chances of success increase when you can get to the source of the decision making as closely as possible. Asking a manager to ask upper management for a salary increase often does not work because something gets lost in the translation of your request.

Here are 5 supplemental things you should do to strengthen your request:

1. Be clear in your mind about what value you offer the company so you can respond to any objections without hesitation.

2. Be nice, positive, and upbeat about your request. Sometimes you might get turned down simply because you sound like a whiner.

3. Avoid appearing needy. Instead of trying to win support, project reassurance that you are accustomed to expecting a positive response.

4. Have a clear idea in mind how much you are going to ask for.

5. Don’t ask for a figure that you imagine will not upset the employer. For all you know, they may be planning on giving you more than you had in mind.

Microsoft SharePoint is a content management platform and an information sharing portal that is utilized in the enterprise environment. SharePoint allows administrative users to assign access controls over various content including documents, folders and sites. SharePoint also supports and interacts with other Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. For example, SharePoint lists are easily exported into Excel spreadsheets. Microsoft Access may be used to work with a SharePoint list on a local computer versus working on intricate operations over an Internet connection. SharePoint is also fully integrated with Microsoft Exchange Server, which enables users of SharePoint and Exchange to create SharePoint meeting spaces and workspaces from within their Outlook email applications.

SharePoint Server may be installed on one server, with one content database, or the server software may be installed across many servers and support several content databases. The size of the deployment is determined by the size and needs of the enterprise in which the SharePoint Server will be implemented.

Microsoft offers professional certifications for SharePoint Server administrators, as well as those who install and configure SharePoint. A Microsoft SharePoint certification demonstrates that the holder has attained the proficiency, knowledge and skill required to install, configure and administer a SharePoint deployment.

At this time, we offer the “Microsoft 70-630, Configuring” training course. This course will prepare the student to take the 70-630 examination, which will provide the student with the Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist certification (MCTS). The MCTS 70-630 certification indicates that the cert holder has proven their proficiency in installing and configuring all aspects of the Microsoft SharePoint Server software. The certification training prepares the student to not only install SharePoint to one server with one backend database, but will also provide the student with the knowledge to deploy SharePoint to a multi-server farm with several backend databases, an Active Directory server and other additional network devices.

Make sure to checkout QuickCert’s Sharepoint certification training courses.

The Microsoft 70-630 exam will cover all aspects of installing SharePoint to one server, as well as to a multi-server farm. The exam also covers upgrades to the SharePoint environment and database detachments for upgrades. Additional knowledge required for passing the exam will include:

• SharePoint Server and Farm Administration
• Creating and Managing Site Collections
• Creating and Managing Individual Sites
• Authentication Strategies: Adding and Managing All Levels of Users
• Deploying Web Applications and WebParts
• Managing Content Databases
• Configuring the SharePoint Server’s Email Service Options
• SharePoint Backup and Recovery
• Configuring SharePoint Search and Indexing
• Implementing a Monitoring System for SharePoint
• Upgrading the SharePoint Software, Applying Service Packs

In addition, the test taker should have a cursory knowledge of Best Practices for administering SharePoint Server. Topics such as How to Manage Site Growth and Expansion, How to Manage Obsolete Users, and How to Manage Storage should be understood.

Our Microsoft SharePoint Server, Configuring training course will cover all necessary material and provide the student with the required knowledge to take the 70-630 certification exam. Once the certification is obtained, the cert holder will be qualified to deploy and configure the SharePoint Server software in various enterprise environments. The cert holder will be conversational with regards to administering the SharePoint deployment. The cert holder should be able to train the server administrator, as well as the site collection and site administrators for any SharePoint deployment.

In spite of the Great Recession, information technology salaries have remained steady or increased, according to a salary survey sponsored by Computer Economics.

One reason for the seemingly Teflon-coated IT salaries is that unlike many industries, IT managers struggle to find employees with the complex skills necessary to perform high-level programming, data analysis and other jobs.

In 2005, Bill Gates, then chairman of Microsoft told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that Microsoft had great difficulty finding qualified people to fill the company’s open computer scientist positions. Gates also lamented the fact that Microsoft faced heated competition from other corporations for skilled talent.

In their 2012 salary report, Robert Half International, a staffing and consulting firm, analyzed IT salary trends by skill set and job titles. The Robert Half 2012 Technology Salary Guide revealed that IT salaries trended upward in all categories.

Administration
• Chief Information Officer – $134,500 to $225,500, a 3.9 percent increase over 2011
• Chief Technology Officer – $120,750 to $188,250, a 3.6 percent increase over 2011
• Chief Security Officer – $115,000 to $172,250, a 3.9 percent increase over 2011

Application Development
• Manager – $91,750 to $120,000, a 3.7 percent increase over 2011
• Project Manager – $79,000 to $117,250, a 3.7 percent increase over 2011
• Systems Analyst – $68,500 to $97,750, a 4.6 percent increase over 2011

Database Administration
• Database Manager – $96,500 to $133,500, a 4.3 percent increase over 2011
• Database Developer – $82,000 to $119,750, a 6.9 percent increase over 2011
• Database Administrator – $79,000 to $113,750, a 3.9 percent increase over 2011

Quality Assurance
• QA/Testing Manager – $80,250 to $107,000, a 3.5 percent increase over 2011
• QA Associate/Analyst – $55,250 to $85,500 a 3.9 percent increase over 2011

Internet and E-Commerce
• Senior Web Developer – $85,750 to $118,500, a 6.9 percent increase over 2011
• Web Developer – $61,250 to $99,250, a 5.4 percent increase over 2011
• Web Administrator – $58,500 to $88,250, a 5 percent increase over 2011

Networking/Telecommunications
• Network Architect – $95,500 to $137,000, a 6 percent increase over 2011
• Network Manager – $82,750 to $114,500, a 4.5 percent increase over 2011
• Network Engineer – $75,000 to $107,750, a 5.8 percent increase over 2011

Security
• Data Security Analyst – $89,000 to $121,500, a 6 percent increase over 2011
• Systems Security Administrator, $85,250 to $117,750 a 4.6 percent increase over 2011
• Network Security Administrator – $85,000 to $116,750, a 4.9 percent increase over 2011

Software Development
• Product Manager – $90,750 to $124, 750, a 4.9 percent increase over 2011
• Software Engineer – $78,250 to $119,500, a 6.6 percent increase over 2011
• Software Developer – $70,000 to $111,000, a 6.5 percent increase over 2011

Help Desk and Technical Support
• Manager – $70,000 to $99,750, a 3 percent increase over 2011
• Desktop Support Analyst – $47,250 to $69,250, a 1.5 percent increase over 2011
• Systems Administrator – $56,250 to $87,500, a 5.5 percent increase over 2011

Even in IT, certain skill sets are more highly valued by employers than others. According to the Robert Half 2012 Technology Salary Guide, the IT jobs most in demand are:

• Systems and network engineers
• Software developers
• Quality assurance and business analysts

The certifications most in demand are:
• Cisco
• Linux
• Microsoft

The surge in the popularity of tablets, such as the iPad, has created a demand for mobile and touch screen developers. According to Robert Half, an entry level IT job remains open for five weeks while a management position remains open for seven weeks.

As difficult as the economy is for people looking for a job, one thing that every industry will always need is an IT professional. As long as technology is a major component of companies operations, someone will be needed to maintain and upgrade the various computer hardware and software systems used by business. Finding the right people to fill these positions is a highly competitive field and having the most current and sought after certifications can be the difference when it comes to landing a job or getting a promotion. The following certifications will be some of the most sought after IT certifications in 2012.

Microsoft MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
The Microsoft library of servers and operating systems are the most widely used pieces of software used throughout the business world. It is estimated that over 80% of businesses will use some type of Microsoft product for day to day operations in 2012. There are various levels of Microsoft certifications ranging from Microsoft Technology Associate level certifications all the way up to Microsoft Certified Architects. The certification for IT professionals that deal with everyday operations are the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications. People possessing a MCTS certification show that they demonstrate in-depth knowledge as well as expertise of specific Microsoft products. A different certification is offered for each individual Microsoft product with Windows 7 and Windows Server being the most popular.

CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate
More and more companies are moving away from traditional desktop PCs and adapting wireless technologies such as laptops, netbooks, smartphones and tablets as both their primary and secondary IT devices. This also means that businesses are going to need to shift their networking architectures from wired LAN configurations to wireless networks. Professionals with Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificates have proven they are able to setup, troubleshoot, monitor, upgrade and maintain networking hardware based on Cisco equipment.

CompTIA A+
Larger companies will run a variety of hardware and software in the same facility. These companies will often seek out a more versatile IT person as opposed to a specialist and typically will look for someone with an A+ certification. People with a CompTIA A+ certification will not only be knowledgeable in IT maintenance, troubleshooting and installation, but also in computer hardware, networking and security. Not only do companies such as HP, Dell and Intel make A+ certification a requirement for IT employees, but so does the United States Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.

CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker
Hackers are the biggest threat to a corporations data. In 2012, companies will face not just threats from other companies, but could also have their business operations shut down by terrorists or foreign agents as part of a cyberwarfare attack. A Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification shows that a professional is aware of the tools and techniques that a hacker would use against a company by themselves mastering the very same methods. This way, someone with a CEH certification can analyze a network and be able to spot weaknesses that a digital intruder could use and exploit to their advantage and then correct those weak points in order to secure the network.

VMWare vSphere VCP
One final area that will be showing growth in 2012 is virtualization technology. Companies will use virtualization to run multiple servers on a single machine instead of each running each service on its own machine. This allows companies to save money on both hardware and power consumption. Virtualization also further expands cloud based computation and storage solutions due to the fact that virtual servers are easier to access remotely compared to traditional hardware servers. Professionals who posses a virtualization certification such as VMWare vSphere VCP show that the are able to plan,implement and maintain a virtualization solution based on the needs of a company.

Without a doubt there are other certifications that will be important as we head into 2012.  The purpose of this list is to give students a solid tool box to head into the job force.  Never stop learning and growing and make sure to do all necessary research into whatever certification you might be interested in.  Here’s to a strong 2012!

CCNA is a certification acquired by passing a 90 minute written test. Some of the topics included in the test are; LAN design, WAN design, routers, OSPF, RIP, EIGRP, VLAN, WLAN and network and management security. There are no prerequisites although there are many training programs that you can enter and materials you can use to study. There are many steps to get you ready for the test, here are few that you can implement to help you prepare and pass this exam.

1. Get your head in the game. If you want to pass then you will need to study extensively for this test. You’ll need to plan on approximately 3-6 months worth of study. Plan to put aside your social life and make the necessary adjustments to prepare for this test.

2. Have the correct study materials. You’ll want to find the right study materials to prepare you for the CCNA. There are multiple study guides and classes out there to help get you ready. There are also forums where you can talk to other students who are preparing or have recently taken the CCNA to get advice and just plain vent.

3. Take a pretest. You’ll want to find a good pretest to take to check your skills. Don’t just take this text once; take different ones multiple times you ensure your preparation. This way you will know for certain that you know the answers and are comfortable with the material.

4. Now schedule the test. Only schedule it once you are ready. Now that you have your test scheduled study some more. Try to find someone who will test you in a different ways to help with your preparation. Take the pretests again.

5. Test time. When the time comes make sure you are studying up until 2 days before the test. Keep taking your pretests.

6. 2 days before the test take some time to relax. The night before the test go out to dinner or a movie. It’s important that you do what you can to de-stress yourself. This can be just as important as all the studying you were doing. You need to relax and enjoy the night so that you can do well the next day. Just don’t get drunk, that is always a bad idea.

The day of the test has come and you have done everything you can to prepare. Take the test with confidence and that will also help you do well. If you have studied and done everything on the above checklist then you should be fully prepared and ready to pass this test.

You can enter the test knowing that you will do well. You will not need to re-certify for your CCNA for three years. When it is time to re-certify be sure to study again. Technology is always changing. By having this certification you have opened a lot of doors in the business world and will hopefully score a great job due to all your hard work.

As with most topics surrounding the current economy, hiring trends are extremely important now. Since many people believe hiring trends will indicate the “turn around point” to signal the economy is on its way to recovery, these numbers are watched closely and often times used to create a bigger statement than what the raw numbers alone say. Because so many industries depend on Information Technology professionals, this sector in particular seems to receive an over-zealous amount of “interpretation” which causes the numbers to be quite confusing.

Review and analysis of the data often seems to provide conflicting answers as to whether the IT hiring trends are increasing or decreasing. Much of this conflict is based on the broad scope and reach of trying to clearly define the IT sector itself.

Since the term “Information Technology” roughly means “the processing and application of making others aware,” this field encompasses almost every facet of gathering, disseminating and broadcasting information. This covers every industry from hardware manufacturing to software programming as well as every facet of planning and distribution of that information from the databases to the end users.

Because of such an expansive reach in definition, it is easy to see why conflicts in hiring data and opinion are so abundant. Depending on the sector within the IT field that is of interest, the results can seem both encouraging and discouraging at the same time.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Spring 2009 “Employment, trends, and training in information technology” report indicate that the IT field as a whole in the U.S. will see a steady increase in employment from 2006-2016 of approximately 8% per year with some spikes as high as 22%. The exception to this will be in the Computer Programming and Computer Support Specialist fields, which has already experienced a decline mostly due to outsourcing and contract labor. Estimates are projected to fall 4% over the 10 year period, but job listing trends at sites such as Simply Hired indicate from November 2009 through May 2011, the number of listings has maintained a slight growth of about ½%. For the same group of people, job salary has increased 3.5% for the same time period (Reference)

Despite the exception to certain fields within the Information Technology sector, indeed.com’s Job Trends from August 2010 to August 2011 show a rather prominent upbeat of 25% growth in IT job listings.

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Through all the downturns in the economy, a techrepublic.com article concluded that IT hiring trends are definitely on the rise, as 33% of those polled have open positions they are looking to fill, but did acknowledge that about half of all jobs will be outsourced to contract and freelance workers.

The overall outlook for hiring trends within the IT industry seem to indicate continued up turns and positive growth. There are certain areas both geographically and within the industry itself that are seeing some unexpected declines, but the outlook for IT hiring trends seems to be quite positive in the U.S. At the halfway point for the Bureau of Labor & Statistics 10 year projection, it will be interesting to see if the actual hiring trends continue to follow the forecasts.

Are you looking for a way to improve the search engine ranking of your LinkedIn profile? Many people overlook the importance of doing so. It is one thing to have a LinkedIn profile; it is another thing entirely to increase visibility.

Below are several tips that can help improve the SEO of your LinkedIn profile:

1. Complete your LinkedIn profile. Believe it or not, many people come up short in this department. If you don’t have a complete profile there is no reason to improve your search engine rank.

While doing so, be sure to include keywords that you want associated with your profile. For example, if you are a social media expert you may want to use the terms “social media” and “social media architect” among others.

2. Customize your URL. Did you know that you can easily customize the URL of your profile? This way it shows your name instead of random numbers generated by the LinkedIn system. The proper URL structure is very important when it comes to optimizing any website or webpage. Do not overlook this as you optimize your LinkedIn profile.

While having a slick, search engine friendly LinkedIn profile is important, it’s completely meaningless if you don’t have the tools employers want. If you’re in IT, certifications can be the key that unlocks the employment door. Visit QuickCert today to get all the training you need to rise to the top of the pack!

3. Focus on your location and job title. While every detail of your profile is important, these two are essential from an SEO point of view. Not only do you want to include an accurate location, but don’t overlook the importance of including keywords, if possible, in your job title.

4. Add all past employment. Imagine this: a past coworker or client is searching for you online, based on a previous company that you worked for? If you don’t include the name of the company in the “job history” section your profile may not be found.

5. Get involved. You can help others by answering questions on LinkedIn. Along with this, answering questions can create backlinks to your profile – thus increasing your search engine rankings.

With these five tips, you can quickly improve the rankings of your LinkedIn profile. But remember, just being found is one thing, actually having something to offer potential employers is another. Position yourself to make your newly tweaked profile convert into a shiny new job.

Businesses today can’t avoid social media. In many ways, it’s the equivalent of refusing to start a company website a decade ago. Yes, you may be doing fine without it, and yes, you may still find new customers and clients, but you’re missing out on critical growth opportunities.

Social media is an affordable and scalable communication medium that gives companies a direct connection to their clients, both existing and potential. Small corporations can run a social media campaign by directing only a few hours of time each week to monitoring profiles and generating content. Much of that work can even be outsourced for additional cost savings.

There are many ways to take advantage of the new opportunities social media presents, and you can begin taking advantage of many of those opportunities today.

Facebook

Facebook is not just a place to connect with high school friends and distant family members. Companies are increasingly turning to Facebook for promotion. By creating company pages, your audience is encouraged to “like” your page. This action will show up on their Wall, and it will also send a notice to everyone that is friends with that person. It’s a modern example of the old adage about telling one person who then tells ten. In this case, one person tells dozens, even hundreds, and possibly even thousands.

Offer potential clients incentives, such as entries into a contest or digital coupons in exchange for “liking” our page, but don’t forget to encourage conversation on your company’s page. Each time a client enters the conversation, this is broadcast to their friends, who may also choose to enter the conversation.

Twitter

Many companies are surprised by the number of things they have to say under 140 characters. Twitter, a so-called “micro-blogging platform”, allows users to send brief “tweets” out to their followers. The communications are rapid, and can often lead to discussions.

In some instances, clients and customers will use Twitter as an open forum for complaints. Imagine a complaint window where someone unhappy with your service is loudly explaining their complaints to anyone in earshot. Being familiar with Twitter will allow you to immediately interact with this person and remedy their problem. Various software programs allow you to “tweet” directly to and from Facebook, which means you engage two separate, distinct groups with one action.

Blogging

Though not nearly as fashionable as it was a few years ago, blogging remains an important outlet. Blogging is essentially a combination of self-publishing and website management. Instead of designing and laying out the order of a page, you can simply type an “article” or “post”, then hit publish. It will appear at the top of your blog’s page for the world to view it. Search engines will index it as they would any other web page, and search results will drive traffic to your site.

The best way to take advantage of this technology is through frequent posts. Make sure there’s always something new for people to read about, even if it’s only a few brief sentences about another person’s website, blog or news article. Many blogging platforms can also be synchronized with Facebook and Twitter so that when you publish a blog post, it is automatically sent as a tweet to your followers, and a link is sent to your Facebook page. Again, this efficiency allows you to maximize your reach with minimal effort.

These are only a few ways that social media can be used to your company’s advantage. Signing up for these services is generally a quick process, though you should consult with a professional that can help you link and synch your social media profiles for greater efficiency.