A few decades ago, when the idea of websites was new, it took many business owners a long time to wrap their minds around the concept. They hung back hoping it was a passing fad. The situation with social media marketing is similar. It’s new and different, but it’s here to stay. The wise business owner will learn and implement. This article will break it down and shed light on what it’s all about.
A Venue for Exposure
The Internet has changed the face of marketing forever. To market online is to leverage the Internet to get exposure and to put out a company’s unique message. The result, hopefully, is that the people who are reached will recognize that business and will take action.
There are many ways to do this, such as websites, landing pages, articles, and blogs. Now add in social media as yet another avenue to leverage the Internet.
Show the Best Side
There are many different social media sites, and the number grows every day. Not every site is right for every business. Each business has different styles, products, customers, and features. By creating a web presence on social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube, a business has a unique opportunity to show its best side.
This can include the character of the business, the unique selling proposition, the personalities behind the business and so on. Because there is little or no cost involved, social media becomes a win-win for any size business.
Link to Websites and Blogs
Most small businesses today have a website. Some also maintain a blog to circulate news and information to clients and prospects. Social media sites provide an excellent means by which to lead web visitors to the website and blog site.
Because social media is viral (it spreads throughout the Internet like a virus) the information goes out endlessly like ripples in a pond. Every social media site maintained by a business creates yet another avenue for web links to be exhibited.
Enhance Personal Branding
In times past, branding was barely even thought of by a small business owner. That was for the big guys like Coca-Cola and Nike. Those days are over. Social media allows any business to develop and enhance a personal brand.
The brand, or persona, of a business can be replicated throughout websites, blogs, and sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Branding is often built around a unique feature or service that sets one business apart from another. It may also define a particular business as the expert in a certain field.
Interact and Educate
Interacting with site visitors is one of the top features of social media. It allows individuals to engage and connect. Business positions that were once cold and aloof are now down-to-earth and accessible.
Add to that the opportunity for education and it makes the perfect combination. In today’s marketplace, customers are informed. They are looking for vital information before they make a purchase. Social media provides the venue where businesses can engage prospects and can make sure their questions are answered.
Social media marketing is, quite simply, the act of including active social media sites into an existing marketing plan. It’s yet another way to leverage the ever-growing power of the Internet.
This is so true – that social media sites are just ANOTHER way to more easily and affordably market a business on a more global scale. Thanks!
Patricia Weber recently posted…Introvert Style New Year’s Resolutions from Introverts in the Know
That’s exactly right Patricia… the affordability of it makes it very attractive especially to small businesses.
Kevin Ocasio recently posted…Social Marketing Resources To Get You More Twitter Followers, Retweets, Likes And +1′s