This week I interviewed Philly blogger and podcaster, Seth Goldstein to learn about his experience working within and creating an income from social media consulting.

I asked Seth what ONE thing a company could start doing today, here’s what he said:

Figure out what your game plan is.

Then,

Ask yourself: "Where is my community?" Is it on Facebook or LinkedIn or another social network?

Upon graduation, Seth freelanced for the Bucks County Courier Times until he landed a full-time job at a small evening daily paper in Hanover, Pennsylvania. At the Hanover Evening Sun, Seth covered the night police and emergency beat. He loved his work, but soon burned out from overwork and pure exhaustion.

Seth moved back to Bucks County and started to write again for the Courier Times as a freelance reporter, covering township meetings and local events.

To supplement his meager freelance income, Seth got a job at an international sales company and began learning how to sell products to large corporations and construction firms.

About a year and a half into his new sales career, Seth decided he  had enough of the corporate life and went back to his roots, opening his own Web Design shop in 2007.

To build upon his self-taught skills, Seth went back to school for his Web design certificate at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. During this time he began building Websites for companies in the Philadelphia area. And well…the rest is history.

Seth codes in schematic, standards-driven xHTML and CSS. He is a big supporter of the Open Source movement and develops Websites for clients using the latest Open Source programs (WordPress, Drupal etc.). As his company grew, Seth began working in another field he loved, Social Media. He has helped numerous companies develop online strategies to build their corporate brands online.

Being very active in the Philadelphia business and technology scene, Seth co-organizes the Philly Tweetup and helps organize the Philadelphia SEO Meetup Group. He is an active member of the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce, the Penn Suburban Chamber of Commerce, the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce , the Philadelphia Area New Media Association (PANMA) and many more groups.

Seth is also the founder and co-editor A2SM (Addicted to Social Media), a blog dedicated to all things social media. He also co-produces a some-what weekly podcast for A2SM with Neal Wiser and Jody Raines.

On a personal note, Seth is married to an amazing woman and is completely addicted to the Internet and Social Media.

Here are FIVE big reasons small businesses and non-profits need the information we are offering at BeThereOnline Conferences:

• The web is where people search for information. If you aren’t there, you are missing valuable opportunities.
• The web is where your consumers spend their time. Again, if you aren’t there, you are missing them.
• There are a lot of opportunities to waste time online too. We’re here to tell you what matters. We’re cutting through the digital fog.
• Yes, we know you are busy. That’s why we want to give you opportunities to network with social media consultants who may be able to help!
• And if you can’t hire help, you will at least get some great TIPS for doing-it-yourself until you can!

AND, for the other side, here are FIVE big reasons consultants-in-training should attend our conference:

• Whether you love social media or you have a idea for a business yourself, you will get valuable entrepreneurial information that will carry over into anything you do.
• You may know what to do with various social media tools but do you know what businesses are looking for? What THEY need?
• You may be able to offer a number of services from design to html to videography. Now is your time to hand out your business cards and network!
• Do you know how to give results from your efforts and let companies know they invested wisely by hiring you?
• You will also learn how to brand yourself and create a media kit to share what makes you special as a consultant.

This is YOUR time to get what you need out of this conference. If you don’t, we want to know and we’ll make changes for the next one. This is for YOU!

 I was a marketing major in college and I love the commercial about the guy who failed to advertise. What happened? In the end, he did advertise – to sell his business. That’s eye-opening.

Today’s world is all about social media but there’s a little problem with that. Business owners are busy and small business owners are even busier. They are doing the job they know best. Non-profits – people are donating half their time anyway. You’re telling me to interact? Online? Twitter? Does it really matter? Come and decide for yourself.

We are gathering speaker names, planning our agenda and making sure we offer a conference that will rock your socks!!