Social media is quite possibly one of the most talked about trends sweeping the internet right now. All you ever hear about is how you should be implementing social media into your own marketing campaigns to take advantage of the millions of users on social media websites. There is just one problem though. You are never told how to do this the right way. I see so many people doing the WRONG things and wonder why they are not capitalizing.
First and foremost, what is social media? Social media includes all the websites that allow connectivity between others users via video, text, instant messages, email, status updates and bookmarking. With social media you can connect with anyone in the world, at any time. Here is a breakdown of the different categories of social media and some of their respective websites.
Video Sharing Websites – These connect users via video.
YouTube, Metacafe, Viddler, MegaVideo, Vimeo, Revver, HowCast
Social Networking Websites – These connect users via mediums such as personal profiles, email, instant messaging and media sharing
MySpace, Facebook, FriendFeed
Social Bookmarking Websites – Designed to share, search, organize and manage resources on the web.
Delicious, StumbleUpon, Bebo, Mixx, Reddit, Digg
Status Websites – Connects users with real-time updates.
Twitter, Jaiku, SoKule
Blogging Websites – Multi-functional websites that publish content of a user’s choice.
WordPress.com, Blogger, TypePad, LiveJournal, Blog.com
Podcasting Websites – Sharing and distributing of recorded audio (i.e. mp3’s)
Odeo, Plazoo, PodcastAlley, Podcast.com
So how do you use all of these websites to sell more product and services, get more customers and just grow your business? The answer is not complicated and it is not very scientific. In order to take advantage of social media you must use this medium as a means to build and sustain a relationship with your customers. It is that simple. People only buy from people they know, like and trust. You use social media to accomplish this.
Before I go any further I want to mention one important suggestion: DO NOT SPAM!
Many novice and flat-out rookie marketers online believe that because there are so many users on these social media websites, that they can just SPAM people with offers and people buy. It does not work like that! You don’t use your Facebook page to sell your product and service. You use it to build up your brand’s credibility and cultivate trust between you and your potential prospects.
Ways You Can Build Trust
- Provide useful and helpful information your customers can use.
- Participate in forums and groups.
- Add a personal touch.
- Answer customer questions.
- Provide solutions to your customer’s problems.
- Share as much as you can about you and your brand.
- Communicate often with other users.
Where Marketing Comes In
While you are providing useful and valuable content for your potential customers and other users they will begin to get curious as to what you do. They will want to know what product or service you sell or how you can be of assistance to them. In the future when they need or know someone who needs your product or service they will think of you. All the relationship and trust building comes in very handy when you do it on a consistent basis.
Marketing is a cinch if your are an established brand. However, if you are just starting out, you will have to follow the instructions listed here in this article to build trust. Coca-Cola or Pepsi, for example, could just advertise using social media because they are already established. You, the small guy, will have to work harder, but the end result will be well worth it. Don’t forget that social media is just a tool. You still have to interact with other people and give them what they want.
If you are considering using social media as part of your marketing campaign I commend you. Just remember what you read here and always think of your potential customers first, before the money. These social media websites and communities can only benefit you when you help others. Till next time my friend.
Yours In Success,
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