L
lead
- Original Poster
- #2
yes you are missing LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with people of your own niche. there are various sorts of groups and companies available on LinkedIn to whom you connect easily and start generating traffic to your website.
In fact LinkedIn is a great source of generating quality leads.
You must try it.
LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with people of your own niche. there are various sorts of groups and companies available on LinkedIn to whom you connect easily and start generating traffic to your website.
In fact LinkedIn is a great source of generating quality leads.
You must try it.
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Pinterest tends to be better for this with very visual businesses. Designers, furniture makers, cookery recipes and the like are all used on there to some effect.
For FB and Twitter I would recommend getting hold of some (free) software to assist with posting and making the process easier. HootSuite and TweetDeck are both useful for this purpose and allow you to make scheduled updates as well as updating on multiple platforms (saves all the logging in and out etc).
However in both cases you will need to consider how to increase your 'fan base', advertising your pages through your letterhead, email signatures and through strategic following yourself is part of what I have done in the past.
Lead took the words out of my mouth - linkedin is also another great social network, but specifically aimed at business.
Hope this helps.
For FB and Twitter I would recommend getting hold of some (free) software to assist with posting and making the process easier. HootSuite and TweetDeck are both useful for this purpose and allow you to make scheduled updates as well as updating on multiple platforms (saves all the logging in and out etc).
However in both cases you will need to consider how to increase your 'fan base', advertising your pages through your letterhead, email signatures and through strategic following yourself is part of what I have done in the past.
Lead took the words out of my mouth - linkedin is also another great social network, but specifically aimed at business.
Hope this helps.
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0
N
Neky
- Original Poster
- #4
Hi there!
In terms of making the best use of Social Media platforms, it depends entirely on what your business entails and what you are aiming to get out of it. If you are a website selling products to consumers then most of your time should be spent using Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. This is because your aim is to make people aware of your products or services and the 3 abovementioned Social Media platforms are the most appropriate. If you are hoping to use Social Media to source clients then you will need to make use of LinkedIn as well.
In terms of 'tricks of the trade' if you are able to do so, I would suggest investing in an automation software, such as Tweetadder. This will allow you to find targetted accounts to follow, maximising the impact of your message. It also allows you to pre-schedule tweets. If you can't afford someone to manage your Social Media presence, then at least with Social Media automation software you can make it look like you do.
Good luck and feel free to ask if you have any other questions.
Neky
In terms of making the best use of Social Media platforms, it depends entirely on what your business entails and what you are aiming to get out of it. If you are a website selling products to consumers then most of your time should be spent using Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. This is because your aim is to make people aware of your products or services and the 3 abovementioned Social Media platforms are the most appropriate. If you are hoping to use Social Media to source clients then you will need to make use of LinkedIn as well.
In terms of 'tricks of the trade' if you are able to do so, I would suggest investing in an automation software, such as Tweetadder. This will allow you to find targetted accounts to follow, maximising the impact of your message. It also allows you to pre-schedule tweets. If you can't afford someone to manage your Social Media presence, then at least with Social Media automation software you can make it look like you do.
Good luck and feel free to ask if you have any other questions.
Neky
Last edited by a moderator:
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0
J
JessicaAutumn
- Original Poster
- #5
Social media for business has many advantages and the prime one is that it allows you to reach out to a large set of online audience base. You can get in touch with online communities and interact with a large number of potential customers. Advertising in online communities means that the online customers can now have reach you with utmost ease. Social networking gives the opportunity for you to give a quick response to your clients. The main thing that is required in SMM service is right strategy and proper planning.
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Get something like Nimble (www.nimble.com) you can register for the personal edition which is a single user and 3000 contacts.
The key is that it takes the people you know in Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn etc and merges them into a single contact record - so you know who you are dealing with. It also hooks in email and calendar.
You can then send social messages - tweets, linkedin, etc through the system and if its part of a digital conversation its linked to the contacts record.
Now in terms of Social specifically, this just helps you to engage and have a global address book (contact management).
Really what you need to do is talk with some of your prospects and customers and work out what information they want and how they get it - i.e. content and consumption mechanism. This will tell you what to produce and which system to use.
You should also look into Google Analytics and find out what keywords people are using to sort for elements in your business. This again gives you an indication of what people are after.
Blogs are a great way to generate good content. Blogs can be about anything and you can hook it into pictures or just the written word i.e. Pinterest, Facebook or a twitter link. Ghost writers are relatively cheap these days and worth while getting if you find you don't have the time.
Remember that Google search now hooks into social streams as well. Tweet about your blog post or something on your website and you can generate more traffic to it. Combine this with offering good customer service for prospect and customers and you start to get the social ball rolling.
HTH.
The key is that it takes the people you know in Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn etc and merges them into a single contact record - so you know who you are dealing with. It also hooks in email and calendar.
You can then send social messages - tweets, linkedin, etc through the system and if its part of a digital conversation its linked to the contacts record.
Now in terms of Social specifically, this just helps you to engage and have a global address book (contact management).
Really what you need to do is talk with some of your prospects and customers and work out what information they want and how they get it - i.e. content and consumption mechanism. This will tell you what to produce and which system to use.
You should also look into Google Analytics and find out what keywords people are using to sort for elements in your business. This again gives you an indication of what people are after.
Blogs are a great way to generate good content. Blogs can be about anything and you can hook it into pictures or just the written word i.e. Pinterest, Facebook or a twitter link. Ghost writers are relatively cheap these days and worth while getting if you find you don't have the time.
Remember that Google search now hooks into social streams as well. Tweet about your blog post or something on your website and you can generate more traffic to it. Combine this with offering good customer service for prospect and customers and you start to get the social ball rolling.
HTH.
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T
The Wholesale Forums
- Original Poster
- #8
Have you tried drafting a social media plan for your business? This includes your goals, objectives, and social media activities that correspond to these among many others.
It' always good to have a blue print of your marketing strategies and that includes social media. You can come back to it any time to see if your efforts are paying off, if you are reaching the right audience, and if they are responding to any of your campaigns.
I hope this helps
Lace
It' always good to have a blue print of your marketing strategies and that includes social media. You can come back to it any time to see if your efforts are paying off, if you are reaching the right audience, and if they are responding to any of your campaigns.
I hope this helps
Lace
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I would get a good presence on Linkedin fully under way. This is a great way of getting back in contact and also staying in contact with people you come in to contact with in business.
As you have been advised, linkedin can be a rich source of leads and a good way to also market yourself from the referrals and recommendations you may receive.
As you have been advised, linkedin can be a rich source of leads and a good way to also market yourself from the referrals and recommendations you may receive.
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E
eventdomain
- Original Poster
- #11
Automated tools are useless without sales knowledge. You can't leverage the benefits unless you have a content plan, which is what the social platforms will make viral - to a point....... (which is what many dont understand).
Some companies ARE great at Facebook/Twitter marketing - but you need huge amounts of interesting and sales content for your social pages like they have, and the process just isnt as easy as many like to make out.
The Facebook/Twitter pages are to be treated as an extention of your website - but never a replacement for it
Think content....
Some companies ARE great at Facebook/Twitter marketing - but you need huge amounts of interesting and sales content for your social pages like they have, and the process just isnt as easy as many like to make out.
The Facebook/Twitter pages are to be treated as an extention of your website - but never a replacement for it
Think content....
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If you use social media to chase numbers and sales you'll end up disappointed. Certainly in the short term.
Use online networking like you would an offline networking opportunity. It's the quality of your interactions that are important not the quantity. No-one likes the bloke at the breakfast meeting frantically exchanging business cards and repeating his elevator pitch. So don't be that person online.
Listen, add value and fascinate.
Generate and seek out fascinating content to share on your most appropriate social media channels. If your customers don't use Twitter, there's no point being on it! But if you don't have fascinating content (not sale information) how can you add value to the online conversations?
Don't over rely on the automated software. There are thousands of businesses having automated conversations with each other in social media. Smug self-satisfied grins as they all follow each other boosting follower stats. But no-one's listening! You have to wonder what's the point?!
Don't forget YouTube.
Try Tweetdeck or Hootsuite. Experiment with intelligent searches to personalise the experience. And build lists of opinion formers within your industry. Don't just stalk potential customers.
Dive in and enjoy! Share your passion, personality and enthusiasm.
Use online networking like you would an offline networking opportunity. It's the quality of your interactions that are important not the quantity. No-one likes the bloke at the breakfast meeting frantically exchanging business cards and repeating his elevator pitch. So don't be that person online.
Listen, add value and fascinate.
Generate and seek out fascinating content to share on your most appropriate social media channels. If your customers don't use Twitter, there's no point being on it! But if you don't have fascinating content (not sale information) how can you add value to the online conversations?
Don't over rely on the automated software. There are thousands of businesses having automated conversations with each other in social media. Smug self-satisfied grins as they all follow each other boosting follower stats. But no-one's listening! You have to wonder what's the point?!
Don't forget YouTube.
Try Tweetdeck or Hootsuite. Experiment with intelligent searches to personalise the experience. And build lists of opinion formers within your industry. Don't just stalk potential customers.
Dive in and enjoy! Share your passion, personality and enthusiasm.
Upvote
0
You can also add Digg, Stumble Upon, Tumblr and Reddit. Social Media can be used in advertising. However, to gain enough customers you need to actively participate in social media. You may want to tap causes. Also, in marketing, try to delve into what interests users in social networks. Social media can also be used to increase your ranking.
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There are several highly responsive and productive ways to gain a huge long-term response from social media marketing, particularly with unusual products. Having said that and visited your website, 'Quirkie Gifts' is not so 'Quirky', and hence would not attract the same level of attention from the type and form of marketing I am proposing.
I interpret 'quirky' as the type of products Tobar (inc Hawkins Bazaar) sell, although there are many other similar retailers online.
There are ways to steal a march - so to speak - over your competitors. If you'd like to discuss further Katie, please feel free to PM me.
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E
EddyP
- Original Poster
- #20
Good point esprintguy, two or three is the maximum when you're first starting out though. Making the most of social media means you need to build up a reputation and get yourself setup properly - then feel free to add others once the ones you are doing are going well.
The most important thing overall is strategy, define your message and make sure you have a backlog of content to keep posting before you start. You don't wanna run out of steam.
The most important thing overall is strategy, define your message and make sure you have a backlog of content to keep posting before you start. You don't wanna run out of steam.
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E
EddyP
- Original Poster
- #21
This is useful, a rundown of how to get the most of commercial social media;
Strategy - yes, even the 'wild west' of social media needs a strategy
Hygiene - checking the fundamentals and acquiring the 'real estate'
Listening - finding out who is saying what and where
Curating - building content by assembling existing online assets
Content - creating compelling unique content
Conversations - engaging with the communities and individuals that matter
Conversion - turning the targets on to your brand
Little bit more info here http://www.babelpr.com/social-media2/. I definitely think the content part is the most important.
Little bit more info here http://www.babelpr.com/social-media2/. I definitely think the content part is the most important.
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C
CREDEMA48
- Original Poster
- #22
Social media marketing is using social media interactions to generate exposure, increase website traffic, improve search rankings, generate leads, and improve sales.
How are we going to use Social Media to promote our business, get more clients and grow?
1. CREATE A FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE (FORMERLY KNOWN AS A FAN PAGE)
- Just like a personal Facebook profile, a business page will have the same functionalities such as being able to post status updates, pictures and business news
- The number of people who can view and like the page is limitless (although dependent on age restriction as regulated by Facebook). This gives us the possibility of an increased traffic.
- We can create a mirrored perspective of the information we have on our websites. Although we may need to make sure that the content we have for these Facebook profiles are friendly and interesting and not seemingly rigid and businesslike compared to what is contained in our website.
- When a Facebook user likes our business page, it automatically shows in their profile information thus relaying the message to their friends. This rouses curiosity and interest amongst people in their friends list. It gives us the chance to increase our visibility and visitors.
2. CREATE A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR OUR BUSINESS
- Unlike a Facebook profile or Facebook page, creating a business group serves as an exclusive circle amongst people within our organisation and those that we choose to get involved with us. We can limit the number of member we wish to have in our group by having Facebook Group Admin.
- A Facebook Group is ideal for our business should we wish to keep our prospects closer, especially those who have shown greater interest in doing business with us. We can keep them updated with what is going on in our organisation and just the same, we can also post updates, pictures and news and we can also put up a discussion board among group members.
- Creating a Facebook Group is great if we want to organise a personal or smaller scale interaction among our leads and prospects.
3. CREATE A TWITTER ACCOUNT/PROFILE
- As a micro-blogging social media channel, Twitter proves to be useful to broadcast updates about what is happening. Limited to a maximum of 140 characters per update, we are able to give them bits and pieces of how things are.
- Any one of our advertising enthusiasts can easily come up with a catch phrase to rouse curiosity and tweet it together with a link to our website to increase traffic.
- Pictures can also be posted should we want to show our followers the kind of product and services that we have.
- By posting tweets on trending topics (hash tagged discussions on Twitter), we increase our chance of getting noticed by Twitter users eventually making them follow us and become prospects.
4. ADVERTISE ON FACEBOOK
- Since advertising on Facebook is on a Pay Per Click basis, We can promote business to a specific group of people. We can easily set-up our campaign on Facebook and be a part of their advertisers, thus increasing our chances of getting more website traffic and generating more leads that we can eventually nurture to become customers.
5. PUT UP AND PARTICIPATE ON FACEBOOK POOLS
- If we are looking for a quick answer about a particular feature or product that we are promoting or we simply want to ask our audience about certain information or their opinion, we can create a Facebook Poll question that easily spreads out amongst users like a virus. It, again, creates interest among everyone online on Facebook.
How are we going to use Social Media to promote our business, get more clients and grow?
1. CREATE A FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE (FORMERLY KNOWN AS A FAN PAGE)
- Just like a personal Facebook profile, a business page will have the same functionalities such as being able to post status updates, pictures and business news
- The number of people who can view and like the page is limitless (although dependent on age restriction as regulated by Facebook). This gives us the possibility of an increased traffic.
- We can create a mirrored perspective of the information we have on our websites. Although we may need to make sure that the content we have for these Facebook profiles are friendly and interesting and not seemingly rigid and businesslike compared to what is contained in our website.
- When a Facebook user likes our business page, it automatically shows in their profile information thus relaying the message to their friends. This rouses curiosity and interest amongst people in their friends list. It gives us the chance to increase our visibility and visitors.
2. CREATE A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR OUR BUSINESS
- Unlike a Facebook profile or Facebook page, creating a business group serves as an exclusive circle amongst people within our organisation and those that we choose to get involved with us. We can limit the number of member we wish to have in our group by having Facebook Group Admin.
- A Facebook Group is ideal for our business should we wish to keep our prospects closer, especially those who have shown greater interest in doing business with us. We can keep them updated with what is going on in our organisation and just the same, we can also post updates, pictures and news and we can also put up a discussion board among group members.
- Creating a Facebook Group is great if we want to organise a personal or smaller scale interaction among our leads and prospects.
3. CREATE A TWITTER ACCOUNT/PROFILE
- As a micro-blogging social media channel, Twitter proves to be useful to broadcast updates about what is happening. Limited to a maximum of 140 characters per update, we are able to give them bits and pieces of how things are.
- Any one of our advertising enthusiasts can easily come up with a catch phrase to rouse curiosity and tweet it together with a link to our website to increase traffic.
- Pictures can also be posted should we want to show our followers the kind of product and services that we have.
- By posting tweets on trending topics (hash tagged discussions on Twitter), we increase our chance of getting noticed by Twitter users eventually making them follow us and become prospects.
4. ADVERTISE ON FACEBOOK
- Since advertising on Facebook is on a Pay Per Click basis, We can promote business to a specific group of people. We can easily set-up our campaign on Facebook and be a part of their advertisers, thus increasing our chances of getting more website traffic and generating more leads that we can eventually nurture to become customers.
5. PUT UP AND PARTICIPATE ON FACEBOOK POOLS
- If we are looking for a quick answer about a particular feature or product that we are promoting or we simply want to ask our audience about certain information or their opinion, we can create a Facebook Poll question that easily spreads out amongst users like a virus. It, again, creates interest among everyone online on Facebook.
Upvote
0
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