If your not online, you don't exist

I'm pretty sure by now most of us have all seen the Matrix, or at the very least, knows what it is (if you don't: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/plotsummary). In a world that they thought to be their reality they were confronted with the fact that everything they had believed was real, was in actuality a very intricate computer designed world. This is an extreme example of the heavy use of technology in life, but when we compare it to our lives today, I don't see it being too far off. 

It has been said that if you don't exist on the internet, than you don't exist at all*, and I tend to agree. The generation after me is immensely more tech savvy than I am, my little sister just turned 7, and all of her friends are getting their first smart phones (contain yourself, I know it's nuts). Think about the fact that you haven't received a phone book in years, do you even remember a time when you had phone books? Every possible thing, except for physical human interaction, is available through an screen. The efficiency of an internet connection that instantaneously links you to millions of people and a near infinite amount of information is unparalleled by any other form of communication. My generation won't be able to get a job if there isn't adequate information about them online, or if the information is unfavourable. 

So what does all this mean for businesses and companies?

For retail giants like h&m, and corporate powerhouses like Coke and Nike, they are fully online not only in their corporately produced content, but also in media coverage. Almost all of the major magazines and newspapers are available online (mostly free of charge). If you are a small start up company, you are presented with the most accessible, hardest to infiltrate technology around. It's easy to set up a Facebook page for your company, but its not so easy to get people to read it. The internet is so extensive in it's reach, but is so diluted with a magnitude of information. 

So how can you get your company some coverage?

Now this is the hardest question. What can your company do to stand out? What can your company do to make an impression? The first thing is simple,

1. Make a corporate account

• Depending on your company, visual elements might be important so opt for platforms that allow that form of content to be prioritized (ex Instagram, Pinterest, tumblr).
• If you need a more content driven page with pictures taking the back burner, opt for sites like Facebook, and Twitter. 
• Make a profile on LinkedIn, no ifs ands or buts about it. 

2.  Reach out to your personal contacts 

• This is why making yourself a presence online is so important.
• All of your family and friends, those are the first people who can help you out and start getting you coverage and a general following.

3.  Produce some interesting or news worthy content

• Did your company sponsor a run recently? Did they make a major contribution to the community? Did you partner up with a new company?
• Any of those things make people want to read more. 

4. Share, Share, Share

• Many social media sites have pages of just content, random content that has recently been posted, or is receiving a lot of information. Though the constant production of content regular activity on your site, you can reach out to people you never knew you could.
• Always cross promote, share your twitter name on your Facebook page and share your Instagram account on your Linked in profile.

*https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140731005316-12497773-if-you-do-not-have-an-online-presence-you-don-t-exist