For Product People …

• Focus on sharing your products: Offer samples to bloggers, and take advantage of any PR opportunity that may come your way (Helpareporter.com).
• Offer yourself up to be interviewed on blogs and podcasts.
• Blog or tweet about your new creations or the process of creating your product.
• Use Twitter to let people know about new products, giveaways, partnerships or sponsorships, product placement, discounts or coupons.

For Creatives …

• Create your profile and let your creativity shine—yes, even you creative types should at least have a LinkedIn profile.
• Focus on sharing your creative products—look to places like Flickr, YouTube, YouPublish, uStream.tv.
• Blog, blog, blog and share the story behind your creative process and pictures of your beautiful creations.

Social Networking Basics

• Even if you’re not yet ready to jump into the world of social media and social networking, at least create those accounts to reserve your name—you never know when you might hit it big.
• Always fill out your profiles as completely as possible. Use those signatures and remember to link to your site or blog.
• When you ask to be connected or “friended,” take the time to personalize the message. This is especially important if you’re approaching someone you don’t yet know personally.
• Be respectful, not confrontational—be real, and don’t hide behind anonymity.
• If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it online. Remember, you’re not just you, you’re representing your business, your brand, and your products.
• Be relevant, on topic, and a part of the community—don’t be spammy.

Katy Tafoya is a member of the Los Angeles Incubator and the owner and editor of ConstantChatter.com, an interactive online women’s community and blog.

Ladies Who Launch is asking you … have you tried using any of the social media sites that Katy mentions? If so, share your experience with us in the Comments section below!

Know your Diggs from your blogs. Join the Social Networking group!

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