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Author: boostyourbottomline | Total views: 116 Comments: 0
Word Count: 773 Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:28 AM

5 Steps to Effective Business Social Networking

Have you added social networking to your marketing tactics? From launching a business to connecting with media, prospects or potential collaborators, social media can help you get the job done. This is a perfect example of how true blue Guerrilla Marketers can represent their business while on a shoe-string budget. Where to start?

1. Write a Killer Profile.

In today's world you can count on your potential clients looking up your name in Google. It is very important to present them with your background information in order to build trust. Social networking sites are usually ranked very well so your profiles on these websites will likely appear at the top of search results. First appearances say a lot about you and your business. Signing up with a site isn't good enough.

Your profile has to sell you and you have to give value and content in order to attract followers. If your profiles are structured to make your name indistinguishable with the products and services you offer, then searches for the products and services that you offer will yield more, and better, results that include your name.

2. Focus on a Quality Network Rather than Quantity Network.

You want your connections to get to know, like, and trust you. Instead of racing to join every site out there, start with just a few. Take the time to build a solid profile before you start to add connections. Now, if you want to be noticed, you must post opinions and comments. Your network will be more apt to listen if you interact often. A recent study suggests that, "Ninety percent of people aren't making a comment when you friend them."

You MUST make a comment -- something as simple as, 'We were on the webinar together, I'd like to add you to my network.' will suffice." Additionally, people want to know the real you. Don't forget to list activities, hobbies, and interests. The real you is encouraged to shine on your profile. Be wary: do not join a site in a race to build up a massive list of contacts to show off your "social power." If you have more than 500 "friends," take the time to sort through them and make changes where you see fit.

3. Establish a Time-Saving Routine.

Once you join these sites, you'll want to ensure that your content is always up to date, and that your friend requests, comments, and opinions are promptly attended to. When logging on to your preferred social networking sites, set aside a designated length of time to spend on each one. Have some specific goals in mind and set limits for yourself when visiting the site so you don't get side tracked.

4. Respect Your Friends.

You have to treat your "friends" right, and right away. Social networking works well when you think of your friends in a respectable way. As mentioned in step #2, when adding a friend, be sure to write a professional entry that ensures your inquiry will add you to their network. Also, refrain from using "lol" or "omg" slang. You will also want to avoid "selling" by using comments that would link directly to your website or blog.

5. Start to SHARE.

Your network depends on you to filter information. You are encouraged to share valuable content, resources, and information. Don't use direct marketing on social networking sites to try to pitch a sale. Instead, point users to a video you posted on a service like YouTube. In the description of the video, you can add a link to your blog where the direct sales pitch is located.

If you build your friend list with people who have expressed an interest in what your business offers, and if your video had the right message, people will go to your blog without feeling like they are being "sold" anything. Offering "free" informative content will attract attention to your profile, which in return, will add traffic to your business website where your real selling points are located.

Keep in mind that Social Networking is a very effective, low-cost approach to boosting a network of prominent contacts for your business. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs should focus on developing an intriguing profile that reflects themselves and their business, and then launch those profiles on sites that will benefit their products, services, and areas of expertise. Relating in some way or another to your network of "friends" will ultimately produce promising business advice, information, and profitable transactions.

Happy Networking!

About the Author

Certified Marketing Spitfire Leslie Hamp is the creator of Business Boost In A Box. To learn more about the step-by-step program, and to sign up for your *FREE* Marketing Mastery Success Kit, visit www.boostyourbottomline.com