Where's Social Networking Headed?
Millions of consumers are using social networks now.
Just like email and voicemail those now archaic technologies that we don't even think about, social networking is becoming mainstream. Social media marketing is here to stay and can bring tremendous value to those who know how to leverage it. From gaining new clients, to gaining visibility, branding, and credibility, not to mention leads, social networking is becoming invaluable for businesses. It is also fun, quick, and a cost-effective way to get visibility and it provides the ability to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world.
Many small businesses remain offline and are positively scared of using social media websites.
Business owners are worried about the lack of privacy and a misconception that they need to be technically savvy to use such websites as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. They also mention lack of time and lack of trained marketing resources which prevent them from taking the social media marketing plunge. However, social networking is one activity that everybody needs to "find" time for and "create" a budget for. It means visibility at a very low cost, and your competitors will be taking advantage of it sooner or later. Doing nothing is not an option!
Social Networking means buzz, visibility, website traffic, leads and sales!
To take advantage of social networking you will have to:
Make time. Either make time for social media marketing for yourself / business OR find an expert who can do it for you. Here at Ad Trends Advertising, Inc we help business all over the US start and maintain social networks. We will offer as little or as much help as you need.
Be professional. If you don't want to end up fired or end up in jail, be careful about what you say online. Professional behavior should be the norm (even for teenagers who don't realize the impact of what they put out there on Facebook). Prospective employers, prospective clients, current clients, and anyone who wants to look you up, can and will. Once you've put something out there, it is out there forever.
Have a clear target or goal. Remember the impression you want to cultivate online. You wouldn't go to a face-to-face networking meeting and complain "how tired you are", "how sleepy you are" etc. Then don't do it online either. Online networking has reached a new level and you need to show your "networking" savvy by creating an impression which will land you the next connection, a new client or whatever you seek.
Know frequency matters as much as content. Blogging at least once a month, writing a tweet at least once every week, and posting a status at least every other day is the only way to grow your visibility. All marketing activities require frequency, consistency, and long-term effort. You wouldn't expect one advertisement in the Kansas City Star to generate leads immediately and ongoing. Similarly, marketing online requires consistent, frequent, and long-term effort.
Reap what you sow. This saying applies very well to Social Networking. If you don't begin leveraging social media websites to promote yourself or your business and especially if your competition is, you'll be left behind in the dust of their visibility & buzz. Sow the seeds of communication in social networks, and make sure you follow up to reap the rewards of your time and effort.
On a regular basis, you should aim to:
- Write about your industry in a way that is useful to your audience, especially with articles. Keep on subject and submit it to the major article sites. If your blog has an associated RSS feed, such as WordPress, all the better. Enter it in the major social media sites as well.
- Then Tweet it. Twitter is in its infancy, albeit a precocious little chap, and you may see no point in publishing your story as your "followers" are mainly unknown to you and therefore unlikely to read about what you have to say. Do not be deterred as this is the wrong approach: Twitter is here to stay and develop. If the Economist is backing Twitter against CNN, this medium has to be taken seriously.
- Blogging and article writing should be done regularly. Just writing the odd story on a casual basis is not good enough. You should be consistent in the posting your articles and thorough with your research.
Set up your profiles today and start networking!
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