subject: Free and Fun Internet Marketing Using Social Networks - Part 2 [print this page] Free and Fun Internet Marketing Using Social Networks - Part 2
Which Social Sites to use?
OK, so we have covered some general aspects of social networking and how it could be used for effective internet marketing. As a more specific example, we can look at a site like Facebook. It's the most popular social networking site with over 400 miillion users - yes 400 million - and of course you can use it for personal intentions, but it can also be used as an effective marketing tool for business. I have already mentioned that you can have two (or more) accounts to keep personal and business information separate if so wish.
When using social sites for business, you can update your status by adding posts when new events in your business are going on, such as the release of new products or services, new marketing collateral or brochures are published or when industry trade shows are on. The whole of your business network - clients, partners, suppliers, colleagues - can be kept up-to date on newsworthy events in your business, whether it's an online business, home business or just doing business offline. These opportunities can also be used as a reason to keep in touch more often with these contacts.
By the same token, you can use the same idea in conjunction with other social sites such as Squidoo or Twitter to enhance your marketing reach.
When you blog, (which you should also be doing regularly) your newest blog posts should be linked to these social media sites as an update. You can also do this for guest blog posts you may doing elsewhere in the blogsphere.
You can have fun with this by highlighting contests, or introduce guest bloggers or mention other events by the groups or associations you are part of. You can even do podcasts (audio blog) and invite your contacts to listen in and learn more about your business.
For video, you can use sites such as YouTube or Viddler to put up videos which you can then add links to on your social pages. Your Facebook profile or Twitter stream will then have loads of updates and interesting information about you. This "interlinking" between these sites and your pages are a really powerful way to get your message out, and its free marketing!
Your contacts and friends can then leave comments on these pages which makes the whole process more interactive...and fun.
An important aspect of using social media for marketing is that your friends, colleagues and business contacts are able to pass on your links to their contacts and so create a "viral marketing" effect that can only be good for you and your business.
Relationships Are Important
The one thing to always remember is that these are called social networking sites for a reason. That's because of course, they are social in nature. And as such, you have to be tactful about promoting your website or blog on these sites. Blatant advertising or internet marketing is not what social networking is about - You should not doing this solely for promotional purposes.
Take a deep breath, relax, take it easy and get to know the people you are trying to reach out to. I think of it as being in a global virtual lounge.
That's why I mentioned it can be a fun way to interact earlier. But also be very aware. You could get addicted to Social networking. In this sense you could actually find yourself losing precious time instead of working on your business. So plan your time accordingly, and get comfortable with social networking in a productive way so you can use it effectively in your business.
So, just as with any marketing strategy, the whole emphasis is on relationships. This is what using social networking sites can offer you. They allow you to build meaningful and mutual beneficial relationships with your close friends and family as well as business associates and clients alike, utilising any number of social sites such Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and many others.
Visiting your friends and contacts links and also commenting on their posts is a great way to make this social media concept really "social". Be reciprocal. Treat it as what it is: A fun marketing tool that you can use to your advantage to promote your business. And remember, this is all for free.
So, not started yet on this social media thing? Well, there is nothing to stop you jumping in and creating a storm with it right now. Social networking is the current "in thing" online...and its big. In fact it's huge. So get your accounts open now and start interacting with whomever you can. You will find someone you know on at least one of these - almost guaranteed. And who knows, perhaps your next business partner or investor could be just around the next virtual corner waiting for your message.....
George Vlismas is an online business mentor and entrepreneur who specializes in h
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