subject: Grow Your Business With Social Networking! [print this page] Grow Your Business With Social Networking!
Word of mouth advertising can be the best way to attract more business. If you can automate this with social sites, you have a cheap and simple tool that can really make your business grow.When you think of social networking sites like Facebook or Myspace, you may imagine people trying to find dates or posting pictures of their dogs. However, beyond the personal connections, these websites have become a very productive place for marketers to get attention for business. If your own business is worldwide, national, or community based, this is still true.These sites are important because the provide an automated form of "word-of-mouth" advertising. I, myself, have visited restaurants or stores that my friends have "Liked" on Facebook. I have also avoided some places that got some negative exposure on a social site.Social advertising can work very well. Sometimes it can backfire. You want to be sure you are doing your best to make sure your own online business is getting positive, and not negative, attention in the social media!When I talk to local business people about social networking, they shake their heads and tell me they have no idea how to begin. It is actually fairly easy to get started, and you can do most of the work in your off hours when you do not have to attend to your physical business.Think about this positive use of social advertising. An old coworker of mine started an upscale thrift store in town. While her store was being built, she made sure to keep us all updated on her progress. She also hoped that her connections would attract other connections.At first, she just expressed excitement about her new business ventures. As the work progressed, she posted photos of her progress. She made us feel as if we were not just potential customers to her, but somehow part of the progress she was making. The feeling was similar to watching a baby being born.When she was close to getting the doors open, she showed us pictures of her inventory and asked for comments. Then, when the doors did open, she had several dozen excited people lining up to share the experience with her. Of course, we all tried to pass on the news to as many friends as we could!That was a wonderful use of social advertising!Some business people do not make the best use of their social advertising. Other business owners display great enthusiasm, but their posts just get annoying. Try not to post too much. Also, do not always post advertising. Sometimes people will get rid of online connections because they get too annoying. They were too frequent or too promotional. These online marketing attempts generated the wrong kind of attention.If you do not use social sites, your competitor is probably getting customers you could have. If you use social marketing the wrong way, you could be hurting your business. Be sure you spend some time thinking about the best way to use the power of social sites. Then you can enjoy the benefits. Done right, you can enjoy a lot of positive attention with just a little effort and no investment
