I'm going to [choose one: blog/pin/post/tweet] to generate buzz for my business.

It's a statement I hear a lot from entrepreneurs and small business owners. These pros understand the nitty-gritty of their business, whether it's baking cupcakes or defending clients, but often haven't yet learned the basics of online buzz. I get the sense, sometimes, that "we're launching a Facebook Page, etc." is vague-speak for "we're building it and people will come (and spend)."

You may remember having a certain talk with Mom or Dad about the fundamental facts of life. Well, it's time to have a "basic social media for business" talk. Not as uncomfortable (I promise)...but just as necessary. So here are the basics-the birds and the bees, if you will-to help produce online buzz for a small business or start-up:

Online Buzz Rule #1: Know what your buzz is.

Buzz for your business will not look the same as the buzz for the biz next door. Before you start planning a social media strategy-or before you continue on your current path-take time to define objectives. Do you want to attract new prospects? Increase online exposure? And remember that once goals are defined, you'll need to determine which web measurement and social media monitoring tools you'll need, such as Google Analytics or Beam Social from Social Strategy1 (my employer).

Online Buzz Rule #2: Be a promoter.

If you blog and there's no one there to read it, does it make a sound? Of course not. The Internet is a vast place populated with other voices trying to attract your target market. The only way to let the world know that you have what they need is to work it. Got a blog, Facebook Page or Twitter account promoting your north Florida business? Awesome! Make sure everyone knows it. Here are tips for online and offline promotion:

• Plaster a blurb on your brochure.
• Post a sign in the office.
• Cross post on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
• Print the Twitter handle on business cards.
• Give links to social media profiles prominent real estate on the company website.

Online Buzz Rule #3: Be useful, interesting, & human.

Customers and buyers will only discuss or share if the content provides value. So how can you make your small business buzz-worthy?

• Be useful: Ask yourself: how can I help prospects and customers today? For a tax office, it might mean blogging tips for getting organized now so next year's taxes aren't a hair-pulling ordeal. No matter what kind of digital content (blogs, tweets, videos) you publish, make sure it solves one of your target audience's pain points.
• Be interesting: Pot stirrers generate online conversation. So get stirring! For example, do you work for or love a local non-profit and are worried about how potential legislation will affect the community it serves? Then say so-and share your thoughts on social platforms for ready-made online buzz.
• Be human: Blog, post, or tweet a generous dose of business content blended with a nice dash of content about the everyday things that connect us all, from a sports team loss to an employee's fundraising accomplishment.

Online Buzz Rule #4: Be a social butterfly.

Yes, I know earlier I was all about the birds and the bees, but sometimes you need to spread those pretty little social butterfly wings. One of the savviest ways to become the conversation is to generate conversation for someone else:

• Find blogs or tweets posted by your customers and colleagues. Read. Comment or Share. Repeat.
• Share relevant, interesting posts from others with your own audience.
• Use social media to give credits and kudos (to an employee who came up with a snazzy new idea...to a customer who posted something nice on Yelp...to a local business that made your day a little better-even if it was just by serving a great latte!).
• Participate in an online community, like LinkedIn or OfficeArrow (a Social Strategy1 partner).

Have you picked up any basic online buzz rules you can share?

Image courtesy of Eurapart/Flickr.