I often get asked about Twitter and its role in marketing. Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter seem to be interesting sites, but can they be used to build your brand or help you sell more? I believe they can as long as you keep these strategies in mind.
To be effective with your use of social media, you need to communicate in the area of your expertise. For example, if you are a designer interested in HTML you want to be communicating with other people who have an interest in web site development. By creating a following that you have something in common with, you're sure to have a valuable dialog.
Create a social media plan. How are you planning to use social media? What are your goals? Who is going to help you manage the dialog? Take some time to consider all of these questions and others related to how you are going to manage your social media plan. It's important to know who can support your social media needs and how you are going to succeed online.
Share what you know. Each of us has an area or discipline that we know something about. If you have a hobby, career, or area of interest, then focus on sharing what you know with others. By focusing your efforts on what you know best, your passion comes through and keeps others engaged. This creates more value for your followers and keeps them coming back.
Communicate on a consistent basis. One of the most important aspects of social media is having a dialog on a regular basis. You must commit some time to posting on social media related sites a few times per week. By staying in front of others on a regular basis, you make sure that the conversation continues to grow. The more you put in the more you'll get back. Communicate often and consistently to be successful.
Invite conversation with others around specific topics. Take a stand and choose a side. By serving to create dialog, others want to be part of the conversation. The more people that weigh in the better your content as it represents many different points of view. This enriches the content and attracts others to your conversation.
Stop selling. Something that I see on a regular basis is direct selling happening on social media websites. However, what these individuals don't realize is that nothing turns off individuals more than being sold. Rather, they want to learn about a subject area and choose products and services on their own after research, recommendations, and reasoning. Don't use social media to sell directly. Rather, use social media to build a following. Once you have proved value, others will look to follow you and the products you use or try.
Social media can be a very powerful tool for promoting your product, service, or brand. But be careful. If social media is misused, it can turn off your followers. Unfortunately, this type of exodus is quick and permanent. Social media tools make it easy to unsubscribe or unfollow. That means you don't have second chances and you have to be extra careful with your dialog.
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