Social media is a fun pastime, but did you know that it can also be an extraordinarily effective business tool? Before you go on your next business trip, you might want to consider some ways in which social media can be used to improve your visit.
1. Research the People You're Meeting With
It's always a good idea to take a gander at the people you're visiting with. Look for hobbies and things you have in common and update yourself on their company's social media pages. They will be impressed that you took the time to do some research! LinkedIn is a fantastic resource for looking at a person's work history and finding things in common professionally.
2. Find the Best Resources through Rating Sites
It's easy to be mislead by advertising, but review and rating sites give you the real information you need to make a good choice. When doing business lunches and dinners, make sure to look at review sites in advance -- and not just for ratings but for tips. You might need to know that parking is hard or that reservations tend to run late.
3.Get Updates on Any Potential Travel Issues
Social media tends to work much faster than news networks, radio stations and other notification systems. By following social media, you'll be able to find out if there are traffic jams, flight delays and other problems. Make sure to follow anyone you need to in order to get updates. Many states even have their own Twitter accounts!
Of course, social media is also a great way to remain connected with your family when you're on long business trips -- don't forget that! Facebook messenger is a fast and easy way to connect while Google Hangouts lets you video conference with your entire family at once. Don't forget that you're allowed to have a social life too!
