Ask the Expert!
Consider this your advice column, covering all things social media marketing. Got a question for the Expert? Drop a comment at the end of the post, send us a tweet, or stop by our Facebook page and leave a comment!
Dear Expert;
I’ve spent the past few months building up my networks across all my social media profiles. I’ve got a large following on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin – now what?
Sincerely,
What’s My Next Step
- CC Image “Na estrada : On the road” by Jeff Belmonte on flickr.
Dear What’s My Next Step;
While it’s great that you’ve got a large following built up across these three networks, the problem is that you’ve hit the road in a Chevy for a road trip, with no map, and no destination.
Every social media marketing endeavor needs to start with a solid strategy in place. Not only should you know where you want to go and how you’re going to try to get there, but you also need to know where you started. This is especially important when it comes to measuring how successful your social media endeavors have been for you.
I recommend taking a look at our two-part blog post on Creating a Winning Social Media Presence, and then going back to re-asses if your network is built to accomplish your goals.
Sincerely,
The Expert
Dear Expert;
I’m intrigued by the possibilities that social media marketing has to offer for businesses, but I’m wondering, how do we go about reaching potential clients, and not just peers in the industry?
Sincerely,
Looking for the Right Ones
- CC Image “Curriculum Talks?” by Dan Zen on flickr.
Dear Looking for the Right Ones;
It’s tempting, when first starting out in social media, to simply run and join every industry network there is, only to discover that you end up preaching to the choir instead of converting the lost.
I’m assuming you’ve got your target market nailed down, and that you know them inside and out – and if you haven’t done that, then you need to sit down before going any further, and figure it out. Knowing who your target market is includes knowing their pain points, where they’re most likely to hang out, or what activities and products they are into, lifestyle choices they make, etc. Once you’ve got a handle on your target market, it’s simply a matter of reaching out to your prospects through those channels (networks, groups, etc.).
Having said that, there’s one big thing to avoid doing – spamming. The minute you open your mouth, and your audience thinks you’re simply there to sell something, you’ve lost. Instead, go in as a contributor – someone with knowledge to freely share, and once they’ve embraced you, then you can start to build a potentially profitable relationship.
Sincerely,
The Expert
June 2, 2010 at 8:23 am
How to Leverage Social Media Marketing in Your Business
Now that the traditional one-way marketing conversation has become a dialogue.
What are you getting from the discussion?
(Clue: If your answer doesn’t include “additional sales,” “generation of qualified leads” and “increased ROI on Social Media Marketing spent,” it is highly recommended to attend this free, 60-minute webinar that will teach you:
• How to get started and where to begin
• The 5 Steps of Effective Social Networking for entrepreneurs and executives
• Proven Social Network Marketing best practices—and what doesn’t work
• Valuable solutions to minimize your time investment and costs to maximize your returns
Plus, you get to listen to real success stories from real people that have successfully generated sizable revenue from their participation in Social Media.)
Information is being shared by your customers, prospects and competitors every day through Social Media channels. They are building relationships, strengthening brands and increasing prospects. With an exponential number of prospects accessible to you, you should be, too.
Attend our free, 90-minute Webinar, “Capitalizing on the Conversation,” and you’ll learn how to execute a well-planned Social Media Marketing strategy that can:
• Generate exposure for your business
• Increase traffic to your site
• Build new business partnerships
• Bring in new, qualified leads
Register now! Limited number of spots available for this Webinar. Maximize your investment in social media by visiting: http://alturl.com/s6pj
January 5, 2011 at 3:09 am
Think that this is just what I’m looking for. I must tell you that I wasn’t very familiar with these information but now I actually got some hint. Expect me to come back from time to time to see some new postings.
January 31, 2011 at 12:29 am
@Wesley – glad to help! Feel free to leave your ideas on our posts as well! We’re always glad to hear from our readership:)