Archive for the ‘Networking’ Category

Social Media… Part of the Larger Solution

By Amanda Bala

 

It was not very long ago that the words “social media” and “social networking” were linked to very different connotations than they are today. Many people thought that all things having to do with social media were a passing phase… just another blip on the radar.

But then businesses started to see the return on their investment into social media. Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook became very real marketing tools and people’s opinions about social media began to change. It was no longer a passing fad. Social media was here to stay and was changing the way we advertise ourselves and our companies and products.

Using social media as a part of your marketing strategy is a delicate balancing act. By taking traditional marketing and mixing in social media, you are able to enhance your marketing and strengthen your brand. However, it is important that you do not look at social media as the end all solution to your marketing needs, but instead look at it as a brand enhancer… another piece of an integrated larger solution.

Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

Know Your Target Audience. It is not about how many followers you have on Twitter or how many “likes” you have on Facebook. It is about having the right people follow you and like you. You can get your message out to 10 true potential clients and it will do far more for your business growth than getting it out to 1000 people who have no interest at all in what you are doing.

Think Like A Potential Client. If you were your own customer, what would you like to see on your Facebook page? What things would you find helpful and interesting. Those are the things you need to be sharing and putting up on your social media sites. Base your keywords on terms that your clients use.  Be willing to share as much helpful information as possible. The more people come to rely on your site, the more they will talk positively about you to others.

Engage Your Audience. The more you ask of your social media fan base, the more they will give back. Post thought provoking material. Ask for opinions. Even get a bit controversial. Be a character. Make your posts fun or funny. Just get people talking. The more they talk on your page, the more they will talk about you to others who will in turn come to see what they fuss is all about.

There is no doubt about it; social media is here to stay. It is more important than ever that you get with the times and make sure you have your social media strategy in place and working for you.

 

No Comments »

Social Networking: Does It Really Work?

By Amanda Bala

“No, I will not join Facebook, Twitter or any of those other social sites”.  Is this you?  Have you said these exact words?  Do you think that the new wave of social media websites are only for kids and people with too much time on their hands?  If so, then you are missing a great opportunity to use these tools to help grow your business.

People have so many excuses as to why they are not using social networking.  “I don’t have the time”, “I don’t understand the sites”, “This is just a fad” or “I am too set in my ways to change now”.  No offense, but this is flawed thinking.  None of these excuses matter.  It is time to realize the massive potential that exists for any business that is willing to put the time and effort into using new technology.

The Internet has and will continue to change the way business and business relationships work.  If you do not understand the new technologies or are just resistant to this change, your business is likely to suffer.  You may not be taking advantage of these new avenues to reach potential clients, but your competition is, which puts you behind them.  With the click of a button and a few minutes of time, they are not only reaching out and building relationships with new and existing clients, but also getting involved with them, which is a very effective way to expand business.

C. C. Chapman in the blog “Managing the Gray” sums this up perfectly in saying “Brands need to wake up to the fact that “new media” isn’t going away. In fact, I’d argue that it isn’t new anymore, but is here and at the forefront so you either wake up and pay attention or you lose business to the company that is paying attention.”

The depth of the client relationship you can create via social networking is something that could never be achieved with traditional media.  It does not mean that traditional media such as television, radio and print are obsolete; it means that you need to use all of these facets together in an integrated campaign.  In doing this, you can connect with your target audience and build relationships that will engage your clients and make them come back to you as well as to refer you to others.

You have a choice; sink or swim.  With the revolution that is the Internet, marketing is evolving on a daily basis.  You can try to fight it, but you will lose.  In fact this is just the beginning.  Social networking is not a fad, it is here to stay and it is just going to keep evolving and getting more and more necessary.  Don’t miss the boat… amazing opportunities are waiting for you.

No Comments »