Social networking has exploded in the last few years. Everybody’s doing it, it seems. Gossip columns, tabloids, and even legitimate news organizations are reporting Facebook posts and Twitter “tweets” as news.
And why not? Social networking is not just the playground for the narcissistic anymore. Even people who don’t like social networking are active on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and others. News that comes from one of these social networks is purer, in a sense. It comes straight from the source without going through the buffer of a news outlet. It makes the friend, fan, or consumer feel more involved with the company of interest.
Social networking is becoming a major marketing tool for both big and small businesses. Conduct an internet search of many major companies, and you’ll find social networking accounts among the top results. Businesses want to give the impression of being connected with their customers. One of the first things a new business should do is open social networking accounts.
How can you use social networking in your own business? One of the most powerful ways social networking can be used in business is in marketing. Social networking can help you expand your brick and mortar business beyond your physical area of influence, or it can be your primary means of connecting with customers for an internet business. Whether you’re marketing a business blog to increase readership or you’re marketing a new property you want to flip, social networking can target people and groups who would patronize your business so you can market to them directly, often at no cost.
Even though Facebook games such as Mafia Wars and Farmville have turned into big business and have millions of players, smaller business owners can also use Facebook (along with other social networks) to market their services or products. Businesses can create their own “fan” pages on Facebook where they post updates and with Twitter you can have multiple accounts so your business and personal tweets can remain separate.
Keep in mind that social networking is meant for building relationships rather than just pitching your products. Contribute to the conversations of your followers, make useful comments or offer relevant referrals. This will elevate you (and your business) to an expert level and over time you will become a trusted name in your market.
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[…] Social media only works if you put some time into connecting with other people. If people think you’re only on Facebook to self-promote, then you’ll start losing fans. This is your opportunity to put a face to your business name so take some time each day to solidify that good impression. […]