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People involved in small business have found a powerful marketing tool in social networking sites.
Among the top social media used by business people today are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. By using these sites, you are able to expose your business to more people, at both a local and international level.
Facebook
www.facebook.com
Facebook has become highly popular in recent years attracting millions of users from across the globe. This popularity has, in fact, led the site’s management to offer marketing platforms that encourage people to share their business endeavors and build communities as well.
To use Facebook to your advantage, make sure to create an interesting personal profile page. Include photos and business information that will attract visitors and encourage them to read through your profile.
Update your information regularly so that existing and potential clients know what you’re up to. Discuss recent happenings regarding your business. Interact with readers who post comments on your page and create a “fans” page and invite clients to join.
Twitter
www.twitter.com
In just a few years, Twitter has attracted a steady following that is increasing rapidly as the “buzz” around Twitter spreads. This is the power of social networking sites – they are viral.
Twitter lifts the lid on the activities and conversations of other people. What we are seeing today is news being reported on Twitter before the media even has a chance to tell us.
For business people who want to maximize the vast communication potential of this social networking site, it is best to be consistent when tweeting (telling people what you are doing).
Provide information to your followers about what you are up to with your business and add value. Share tools, tips and strategies and make your updates interesting and engaging.
LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to grow your business using less of your own money. How? Use LinkedIn to search for potential employees and also as a means to expand their business contacts.
Providing a detailed profile (business information and photos) is the best way to generate interest.
Include a link to your website or blog for those people looking to access more information about you and your business. Interaction is key. Answer questions that provide valuable and interesting information.
YouTube
www.youtube.com
YouTube enables video sharing on the internet. This social networking site has become the Number 2 search engine, behind Google.
If you have not tried live video streaming as a marketing tool for your business yet, it is time to jump in front of the camera. Videos are very powerful tools in drawing online traffic.
Create a short, clear video featuring yourself talking about your business. Tell them how you started out, about your journey, provide them with success stories and share your passion about your business.
Create several short videos (perhaps video seminars you conduct, presentations you make, or other business projects) and upload them on YouTube. Make sure that you post your videos in the category relevant to your business to draw the right target audience.
In using social media to market and improve your business, building trust with your audience is essential. You can only do this by being honest and providing consistently interesting, useful and valuable information. What matters most is that you share your experiences and knowledge. Doing so can influence people’s lives and encourage them to take action.
By Wendy Moore
© Copyright 2009 Savvy Web Women Pty Ltd
About the author:
Wendy Moore is the founder of www.savvywebwomen.com and creator of the Savvy Web Secrets Mentoring Program – the step-by-step, hold your hand program that gives you the tools and confidence to become internet savvy.