Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter are not just for posting pictures of college beer fests. They have become a powerful marketing tool that if used correctly, can drive business to your website and translate into sales.
It's hard to resist a captive audience of millions who are all online and could be potential customers. If you don't have an account on one or all three and you have a business, you could be missing out on customers, all with money to spend.
First of all, for the true novice, we'll give you a brief primer on each social networking site. Facebook was developed by college students as a place for students to post pictures and keep in touch. It caught on, and is now used by millions of people across the country, including boomers and businesses; basically, you get a profile page and start adding friends. While doesn't happen overnight, eventually you can have a significant number of people who are now your target market audience.
Facebook has several features that are a marketing experts dream. For one thing, it's free. It allows its users to upload videos, news, start fun contests which can entice viewers to your profile and customers to your website.
MySpace is one of the most popular marketing tools because it is so flexible. It allows the user to build a web page, completely customizable, including links to your business website. For example, if you sell sporting goods, make your My Space account mostly about sports. You can change it according to what teams are doing well or what sport is heading into its season.
Twitter is another network that is catching on because it's fast and some are finding, addicting. The idea of Twitter is to send quick updates (you only have 140 characters per message) to family and friends about what you're doing. Posts are limited to just a few lines, and you can receive updates from friends. Twitter can be used as a fun business tool because you can send your sale staff quick updates to let them know what you're up to. Have a potential customer? You can Twitter them about new products or opportunities or big announcements. And then your friends can Twitter you back about what they're doing.
It has been widely acknowledged that President Obama used the power of social media marketing to increase the progress of his march to the White House. That's evidence that Social Networking helps in marketing any cause, whether business, or not-for-profit. So, how can you use Social Networking & Social Media Marketing to market your business?
There is a concept called groups in Facebook where a company can create a group and then try to spread and have people join their companies’ group page. Interested people will become members of such a group and those are just more people you can directly market too.
There are many types of marketing that you want to do when you have an online business. One of the more popular and effective methods to use is social networking. Many people assume that this method is hard to use for building a business. The truth is that with a little bit of knowledge, anyone can successfully use this method to build a successful business.
That is why you need to know some important tips to help you get started with this marketing method. Here are the most important tips to know.
1. Take time to educate yourself on each of the social network sites that you use. Each one is different and each has their own rules. By learning more about them, you can also learn how to use them effectively to build your business.
2. Build your profile carefully. The profile is what other social network members will read to learn more about your business. By building the profile carefully, you can attract people to check out your business.
3. When first choosing a user name for each social site, use a name that lets others know about your business. For example, if you sell dog collars for your business, than choose a user name such as, dog-collars-for-small-dogs or something to that end.
4. Try to find and join social sites that deal with the niche you are in. This is not required for all the sites, but for some it is a good idea to be sure what they have on their site when it comes to businesses.
5. Offer a link to your website or blog from your profile. Also, post links once in a while when socializing on these sites that will lead others back to your website or blog.
6. When using other marketing methods, point people to the social network where your business is. This will get them to join you on these sites and lead them to your business website or blog.
These are just a few of the tips that you need to know for social networking. There are many others that you can learn with a little research. It is important to remember that the more knowledge you have about each social site, the more effective you will be able to use it to build your business. Don't delay in finding sites to use today because they are definitely an effective marketing tool for your business.