Once you get down the basics of tweeting, the various major aspects of Facebook and interacting on LinkedIn, what's the next step? How do you grow your personal brand and that of your company? PC World published five tips for your social media strategy in 2012 -- common-sense ideas that will help get you going this year. Most of these strategies and their tactics cost little or no money, just time and a little bit of advanced planning.

The first point couldn't be emphasized more: "Claim your name everywhere." Don't let a random person or a company with a similar name to take the best name for your brand on a social media platform. ACEC Virginia, moving on to Twitter, claimed @ACECVirginia. It's the easiest handle to use and the first assumption many would make when looking for us on Twitter. On Facebook, we used the dedicated URL "facbook.com/acecva."

Make it as easy as possible for your clients, potential clients and colleagues to find you online, and it'll give you that extra boost for which you're looking. Also, don't forget Google+ and LinkedIn -- they're just as important, for businesses, if not only for the reason that other businesses are flocking to these sites and taking advantage of what they have to offer.

PC World's Angela West adds, "Make sure you are taking advantage of any directories available on the websites of any professional associations you belong to, as these valuable links back to your website help build your credibility both with potential customers and the search engines."

She concludes, "Even if you can’t commit the resources to updating a Google+ or LinkedIn page, at least get them started so that you have the link and more relevant results for your company show up when a potential client is searching for you."

Claim your name everywhere [PC World]