Here is a blog post by Amy Harcourt, founder and CEO of Definitive Marketing. As she explains, “It’s been an amazing career path because I love helping people make a difference. If my ideas on pricing strategy help you make more money, I’m happy. If my introduction to just one person opens up new opportunities for you, I’m thrilled.

“And if my advice on your marketing plan creates a breakthrough, well then, I’m at a loss for words. I write articles to inspire smarter business practices. I host networking events to connect like-minded people. I teach workshops to pay forward what I’ve learned. I consult to create positive change.

“That’s why I started my own firm, Definitive Marketing, in 1999 and haven’t looked back since.”

To check out the wealth of resources, please click here.

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Did you WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iPod and Google your way through 2010? Do you actually use these brand names as verbs? If so, bravo! Congratulate yourself and go back to working your LinkedIn network. You don’t need this blog post.

If you’re like the rest of us, you thought about doing these things (and possibly even tried some of them), but got overwhelmed and stuck. At best, your efforts were random and lacked focus. Not to worry. Many small business owners aren’t sure what to do about social media. You get credit just for thinking about it.

As we end the year, consider this:

• Facebook has connected over a half billion people worldwide

• iPod app downloads hit 1 billion in a 9-month period

• 1 of 8 couples married in the US last year met via social media

• 80% of companies use LinkedIn as their primary recruiting tool

The stats are astounding. To see more, watch this video, Social Media Revolution.

And then pause to ask yourself how you will use social media to grow your business in 2011.

You don’t have to do it all. But you do have to do what will move your business forward. The key is to be strategic. Go back to the basics of your business plan. What do you have to offer, to whom and why? How will you best reach and influence them online? Be selective. Only do what you can do well.

Here are five very simple steps:

1. Write content that showcases your value

2. Distribute content where your target audience will read it

3. Engage your audience in a dialogue

4. Build your network, making connections on- and off-line

5. Create a plan that’s simple and strategic.

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TAGs: Social Media for the Rest of Us, Amy Harcourt, Definitive Marketing, WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iPod, Google, LinkedIn, Write content that showcases your value, Distribute content where your target audience will read it, Engage your audience in a dialogue, Build your network, making connections on- and off-line, Create a plan that’s simple and strategic