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Posts Tagged ‘Networking’

There are a lot of social media marketing companies popping up all over the internet these days. You are probably seeing a lot of their ads IN the social media spaces, like Twitter and Facebook. “Get thousands of Twitter followers….”, “Automate All Your Social Spaces!” But, the bottom line with these types of companies is this, You Get What You Pay For.

Social Media is all about networking, relationship building and connecting – one human to another. Too much automation will not give your business the “real time” and human presence you want. Now, I’m not saying some pre-scheduled tweets and Facebook posts aren’t helpful, since we can’t be online 24/7 and there are great free online tools such as SocialOomph and HootSuite for that. But, I would strongly caution against using those companies that are offering dirt cheap pricing for social media marketing assistance. You want the person (not a spambot) managing your social media spaces so that you can not only find, but connect with targeted, quality Facebook Fans and Twitter Followers. An automated service cannot provide the human element so critical for social media business success.

All businesses need a social media marketing presence in today’s world. Your customer is looking for it on your web site, catalog and email they receive from you. They want to be the first to know about your specials and coupons and are looking to you for your knowledge in the industry or just the right tidbit of information about the product or service you provide to get them to buy. Though social media is very important, it should be just one element of your marketing strategy. Traditional marketing is still necessary and the smart business owner would choose a social media marketing firm that is solidly rooted in traditional marketing basics, such as direct mail, email and press releases to ensure that a well unified campaign is executed.

Again, with social media, you get what you pay for and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re ready to launch your social media presence for your business and want to make sure the person who manages that effort also has over 15 years of experience in direct marketing, brand building, and designing targeted marketing plans, give me a call. I can help!

Social Media Marketing is such a dynamic environment to reach people and get the word out about your business, and it’s really hot right now! If your business does not have a presence in the social spaces, like Facebook and Twitter, you are leaving potential new customers behind and missing the chance to build on your existing relationship with current clients. When your business is using Twitter and Facebook, it can also help you find other businesses and networking connections to help your business grow. Plus it also serves as a way your existing customers can communicate with you. The stronger the relationship you can build with a client, the better because everyone knows it’s much harder to get a new customer than to keep one and when the ones you have are loyal, they will provide repeat business and referrals.

Just the other day, I was working in Twitter for my client, UGLeepen.com. I was searching keywords in Twitter related to ergonomics, because he has an ergonomic, comfort pen. I found a business who sells ergonomic products and furniture but not pens. Through just a few messages (known as “tweets”) in Twitter, I found a great lead for my client and they are in discussion to have his pen sold in their store. This is just one example of the dynamic and exciting environment Twitter can provide for your business.

I was also in Twitter for my client, Scripps Ranch Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. She has a brick and mortar business and is looking to connect with people locally in San Diego, so, I conduct keyword searches for her based on the city. As I found San Diego locals, I saw that one the people I “follow” for her repeated (or as it’s called in Twitter “retweeted”) one of our messages. Her tweet also added “this is my dermatologist”. Now I can have conversations with this client directly in Twitter. This builds the relationship and keeps the Dermatology Center top of mind so she can refer a friend or stop in for additional services herself.

Are you using Twitter or Facebook for your business yet? Contact me for a free consultation.

Print is dead. Ok, it’s not really, but, it sure feels like it. How many people do you know who still use the printed Yellow Pages to find a business? I sure don’t. Those are dusty doorstops at my house. I don’t even know why I keep them. They should just go right into the recycle bin the minute they get left on my doorstep. I find everything I ever need online! All the time. I love the internet. And, if for some strange reason I can’t find the answer to my question in Google search results, (oh, yes, I’m loyal to Google!), I ask a friend to refer. Instead of picking up the phone, I text, email or post questions in LinkedIn or Facebook to my friends and business colleagues. And, that’s what social media marketing is all about: networking, building relationships and referring online.

Think about how you’ve purchased something recently. Something specific that you weren’t sure a store in town would have, or maybe it was here in town, but you didn’t know what store would carry it. Did you search for it online first? It’s very easy to search and even buy online, instead of driving all around town not knowing whether you will find the item you wanted or not. I did this a few times recently with local bookstore. I was feeling guilty that I would always just go to Amazon.com to buy the book, CD or DVD I wanted. So, I thought, no, this time I’m going to shop in town. And, you know what, twice I was disappointed because they didn’t have the item I wanted in stock or even in their computer system so they could order it and I could drive back and pick it up later. Online is easier. Online is convenient. Those who shop online enjoy the fact that the product comes right to their home, no fuss, no muss.

There are 70 million people conducting daily online searches on the internet. These people are searching for products, services and solutions to problems. The question I pose to you, is, if your customer searches for your products or services, can they find you?