We haven’t always had the social media advantage in marketing but the truth is that people have been using this business approach for centuries. As long as there has been a product to sell, entrepreneurs have been marketing it to their friends, family, and colleagues. Take the social marketing and mix it with today’s technology and you have Social Media Marketing. This marketing style is created from a blend of classic advertising and social networking.
Why does it work?
Marketing with social media is essentially word-of-mouth advertising. People are much more likely to purchase a product or try a service that is recommended by a friend or family member, because they have backed it with their own experience. This recommendation increases the product’s reputation in the eyes of the potential buyer (your target audience).
With today’s social networking tools your simple “word†can travel around the world at the click of a mouse or the push of a button. This means that word-of-mouth advertising can now reach far off lands without any extra effort.
Where do I start?
It doesn’t take a huge contact list to strategically execute a solid social networking marketing plan. All you really need are a few friends and contacts who are willing to spread the word about your product or service. Chances are you are already using social networking tools to keep in touch with your friends and family. Start there. It is important to remember that your colleagues may have no idea that you have a product to market until you make it known.
A few tips to get started:
Don’t be shy. You can’t expect others to spread the word about your product if you won’t do so yourself. You can only be as successful as you will allow yourself to be.
Don’t be afraid to try cross-advertising. If you have a friend or colleague who is marketing their product through social media, try working together. Give their product a mention and have them do the same for you. You could double your exposure effortlessly.
Offer incentives. This is a great social marketing tactic because it benefits both sides. This is a common marketing plan used by people who sell products through home parties. When the invitations go out they include a line such as: “bring a friend to receive a free prize!†This social networking plan is not only simple but it could easily double the attendance of the party.
Marketing with social media or Social Media Marketing “levels the playing field†for entrepreneurs and small business owners providing them with the opportunity to market their products and services inexpensively. However, it is time-consuming. Outsource it to your Virtual Assistant, which will give you more time to focus on your clients and building your business.
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