Social Media Sites and How to Use Them Effectively In Your Business

In Today's Lesson...
Lesson 10 - Conclusion

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Over the course of the last 10 weeks, we have helped to develop your social media strategy and reviewed 9 social media sites and the benefits they can provide your business. As we stated in the beginning, social media marketing is like the yellow pages on steroids. Never before has there been as much opportunity for businesses to reach their target market quickly and affordably.

While each of the social media sites we reviewed has unique benefits and opportunities, there are several commonalities to all social media marketing efforts which are key to your success. In summary, 

1) Build a thorough and strong profile. Each social media site provides an opportunity for you to describe who you are, what you do and where to find more information about your product and/or services. Your profile is often the thing that will cause a reader to take a second look at you and/or your business. Be professional while showing personality. Provide a link to your website. Correct any spelling, capitalization or grammatical errors. 

2) Engage. Social media is just that - social. Don't be a wallflower. Engage, praise, compliment, promote fellow members, thank and be social. If you want to get noticed, you need to participate. 

3) Avoid being a sleazy car salesman (or saleswoman). Social media provides multiple opportunities to promote your products/services. Social media participants expect to learn about you and your business but they will be turned off by repeated sales pitches. Add valuable content (tips, articles, how to's), promote interesting content by your friends/followers, show your human side (your interests, hobbies etc) AND mix in your own products/services. When done in moderation, your followers will be eager to find out more and to make a purchase.

There are many social media sites and many different ways to promote your business through them. Start off small and work your way up. If it gets crazy, then see about soliciting others to help you - sometimes your most active fans would jump at the chance to promote you for free in exchange for the prestige of running your Facebook fan page or even for a few "freebies" sent their way every so often. Use your imagination and have fun!