An Overlooked (Yet Powerful) Social Media Tool Part 1

Ever be the last or next to last person chosen for a team when you were a kid?

If so, then you know the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach and how awful it feels. Unless you are like Donkey from Shrek, who could withstand just about any social shunning Shrek could dish out to him, you know that being overlooked or taken for granted is something you want to prevent or avoid no matter what.

In today’s fast-paced Social Media climate, there are two social media tools that are not as popular as some of their teammates, and are often picked last for the team.

What’s interesting, though, is these little powerhouses offer tremendous value to the people who use them, just like the kid who got picked last for gym class can sometimes hit the winning run or score the final basket and be the hero of the game.

This first social media tool  I am going to feature today that is often overlooked is none other than skype.

Overshadowed by its hugely successful teammates Facebook and Twitter, skype should not be underestimated for its branding power, its relationship-building capabilities, or its simplicity. Indeed, this social media tool can be an online entrepreneur’s best friend.

Like all the social media biggies, skype is free to use, and when used deliberately, can reap huge rewards. Connecting with others is easy, not to mention fun. Because relationships are at the heart of business, getting to know people outside of Facebook posts and Twitter feeds is an essential part of growing your business, and skype allows this to happen in a way these others mentioned cannot.

With skype, you can type real time messages in a chat box, speak to someone with audio only, or have a video call with another person who is also a skype member, anywhere in the world. There are places on skype that allow users to feature their web and/or blog addresses, inspirational messages, and personal information like birthdays and preferences in any category you could think of.

Like many people, I first started using skype to connect with my parents who live 3000 miles away from me. My use has since evolved into Masterminding with other online entrepreneurs once a week as well as getting to know people I meet on Facebook in a different setting.

To use skype, you need to download the free application to your computer, something very simple and quick to do. After going through the various set up stages, including an audio and video check, you will create a skype user name, customize your profile with a photo and other things, and then begin finding other people you know who are using skype, too, and adding them to your contact list.

To get skype for your computer, simply visit their site here to join the millions of users who believe this is one social media tool that shouldn’t be picked last!

Are you currently a skype user? How has skype helped you in business and/or your personal life? Share your thoughts with readers here and pass along this post to Twitter and Facebook!