Social Media / Networking For Business
As Web 2.0 takes shape at a rapid and frantic pace, we need to step back and assess the social networking facet of marketing for business.
Social media is here to stay, at least for the time being. It is not just a passing fad. With the introduction of Twitter in 2006 social media took on an entirely new face. Twitter has evolved into a world wide phenomenon, taking on a life of it’s own.
Not all social media site are suited for business use. A networking site suited for one particular business may not be suited for another. The social media sites you choose to market your site, whether you sell a product or a service need to serve a purpose. There is more to posting than just sales pitching. Offering useful information can be just a beneficial. If you become an authority on a particular subject then you build clout in an online community. Therefore, if someone is looking to have something done or purchase a product they go to the authority. It is not all about sales pitch and taking, it is just as much about giving.
When deciding on social media sites for your business ask yourself these questions prior to posting.
- What benefit to potential customers / clients and my business will posting to this site have?
- Will contributing to this site be useful to someone?
- Will contributing to this site be beneficial to my business?
- Is this a suitable site for the information I have to offer?
- Are the sites i’m using do-follow?
- Can I make contacts with mutual interests?
- Am I building trust by posting and contributing on this site?
- Will I be able to build business relationships?
- Are there potential customers / clients viewing this site?
- Can I build an online identity?
Hopefully you see my point to asking yourself these questions. Socially networking online is no different than netwoking in your community. As with any business marketing it becomes a matter of who you know and how you interact.