The other day a colleague told me I am a thought leader and I’ll admit it surprised me a bit. It has always been part of my social media strategy to position myself that way, but this was one of the first times someone had confirmed for me that my strategy was working. I do often share advice that is contrary to popular opinion and encourage entrepreneurs to do what is best for themselves in business. And while I often agree with things other experts are saying, I’m confident people see me at someone who has strong opinions and isn’t afraid to share them.

It’s time to revive your business networking strategy. And I don’t mean boring in-person events with awkward handshakes. Today I want to chat about the art of networking through social media. Take a sip of your coffee and read through these tips for small business networking on social media.

Brand awareness is also about the feelings and associations consumers have towards your brand. It’s the emotional and psychological relationship your customers have with your business. Think of it as the difference between recognizing a face in a crowd and knowing that person’s story, quirks, and favorite cake flavor.