Today’s post is by Social Networking Diva, Martha Giffen. This fellow marketer speaks up on using social media and recommends the best place to start your social networking campaign.
Social Media Is The Bomb For Your Biz
Social media. Everybody’s talking about it and scrambling to learn how to use it. Is it really that important?
You bet it is! Social media is not an option for your business any more!
The fact is, social media is here to stay so if you’ve been avoiding diving in, wait no longer. It’s not as difficult as some make it out to be.
It’s all about relationships!
Isn’t that the truth? People buy from people. Period.
Think about it. Who do you buy from? People you know, like, and trust. This can be someone you met (think your local insurance agent), a brand you trust (think Coke), or a biz owner that you have seen often online, researched, and made a decision to purchase their products.
But, it’s all about the purchase, right?
Well, that’s the ultimate end result you are looking for but there’s so much that goes on before an actual purchase is ever made.
Think of social media as another marketing tool. Social media provides a variety of ways for you to “reach out and touch” your potential customer.
Good, better, and best?
The platforms for social media are growing as we speak. However, at this time, the big three are Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
They are all unique in their own way and provide different opportunities for you to increase your customer base.
Facebook is the most popular at the moment. One in every 14 households in the world is connected to Facebook. That alone should get your business juices flowing! It’s a great place to promote your products, let the world know about your company, and have short conversations with your clients and potential customers.
Twitter is people who are “in the moment.” Its 140 word character limit keeps conversations going at a fast pace. When you login to Twitter, you are able to quickly see, join in, or start a new conversation. It’s a great way for your customers to get to know you. Every “tweet” brings you closer to being “known” by many.
LinkedIn is a way to connect with other biz owners. It’s a social media site for professionals. The groups over there are boundless and you have an opportunity to join and become one of the “experts” in your field.
Tips for Using Social Media:
• Be engaging. Don’t sit on the sidelines.
• Do not put your product links in every single post. Nobody wants to hear “look at me, look at me” at every juncture.
• DO join any conversations that are related to your niche. You can quickly become the “go to” person on your subject just by being helpful.
• Post links that are related to your niche but not necessarily your links. Let your audience know that you are helpful.
• Be a team player. When someone is good about promoting your products or site, return the favor.
• Always, always use a current picture of yourself. This is a biggie! People want to “see” who they are doing business with. Show them!
Don’t let the term “social media” be scary. It’s a great source of future growth for your business. And, – you don’t have to learn it all at once!
My recommendation is to focus on one of the big three until you have a good handle on that one, then move on to the next.
The easiest place to start is Twitter. It’s simple, quick, and you can learn it in no time! The great thing about Twitter? People are expecting marketing links in the tweets. Some folks go there specifically to find products they can use. Don’t wait! You can download my free Best Tweet Tips and be going strong this very day!
If you are really serious about your business growth, don’t be left behind! Get out there and be social. People really do make the world go ‘round!
Peace,
-Martha Giffen
P.S. Please feel free to connect with me in any of these places:
http://twitter.com/marthagiffen
http://facebook.com/marthagiffen
http://linked.in/marthagiffen
P.P.S. I couldn’t agree more. Twitter is a great place to start your social networking. Go now and get Martha’s Twitter Tips.
Sheila
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Thanks Martha for the review of the three top Social Media formats.
I didn’t realize Facebook was number one. Wow!
Social media really does give us the opportunity to expand our followers. However, if I’m not careful, I can spend too much unproductive time in Social Media. My preference is Twitter because I can get on and off quickly.
You Rock Martha! Your advice is always so great and makes total sense. The part that hit me the most was when you said Twitter is “in the moment.” So true. REAL time! And very fast. You could tweet something and within moments it’s out of the stream and out of mind (for the most part). You have mere seconds to catch people’s attention and I think that’s what freaks people out about Twitter. Getting involved with others seems impossible, but in reality it’s not at all. Definitely interact in all these social spaces. That’s what it’s all about!
Deb Augur recently posted..Tried the New Twitter Yet
[...] I read a blog post today written by a friend, Martha Giffen, that talked about social networking. In it she mentioned that one in 14 families worldwide are on Facebook. To me that’s even more impressive to ponder than 500 million “friends” (as in the new movie). (You can read Martha’s guest post on Sheila Atwood’s blog here.) [...]
Hey Sheila & Martha!
Nice to see you two pair up! Martha is so good at the whole social media thing. I just fly by the seat of my pants and get something right every now and then, but Martha hits the nail on the head every time!
I love following both of you!
KK
Thanks Karen, It has been a great partnership. We are both in the same IM niche and Martha knows her stuff when it comes to Social Networking. It has not been my thing. So I am learning tons from her.
Thanks to Sheila for having me and thanks to ya’ll for reading!! xoxo
Martha Giffen recently posted..“The Social Network” – our kind of movie!
Thanks for the great post! Hope to have you back again soon.
Super guest post, Diva Martha!
Now if only we could get you to try Facebook out, Sheila. We’re all waiting for you to join in the wonderful conversations there.
Give her a little nudge, ladies!
Since I don’t have as much time as the rest of you gals to be in front of my computer, I have the “Big 3″ all linked together. For example, whenever I post a link to my blog on Facebook, it automatically shows up on Twitter and LinkedIn. I love the convenience and it’s a real time-saver.
Martha, your Tweet Tips report is great!
Melanie
Melanie Kissell recently posted..How to Radiate Moxie with a Mini Blog Makeover
Thanks for the Facebook invite.
Sometimes it is a matter of personal values and integrity. I have made a personal choice not to use Facebook. It is that simple.