ToddSkaggs

Are you using social media to drive traffic to your website and increase sales? Or are you still sitting in the skeptics camp not certain that social media is anything other than a waste of time?

If you are not using social media to promote your services, products and website, you are missing out on one of the hottest marketing trends in years. And in doing so, your competition is very likely capturing sales that could be yours.

In the Internet world where there is so much competition, finding that traffic and getting the necessary exposure for your website can be difficult. Don’t get discouraged.

First, the Internet is HUGE and growing every day! Second, you can gain the upper hand by using social media to increase your web exposure and draw in new customers again and again.

Social media is opening doors for entrepreneurs and businesses worldwide. Through social media you can:

• Formulate joint venture partnerships with someone you otherwise would have never connected with.
• Interact with customers and clients in real time offering support and guidance.
• Interact with people who are interested in your product and services and in you.
• Drive massive amounts of traffic to your website, fan page and brick and mortar or online store.

Well if all that isn’t enough to convince you to incorporate social media into your strategic marketing efforts, the costs of social media most likely will.  Aside from your time to network and connect with friends, followers and connections, nearly all social media tools and applications are free.  Affordable and powerful strategic marketing…SWEET, huh? Ready to get started? Here is a primer…

What Is Social Media?

Now that you know some of the reasons to employ a social media strategy, let’s find out what social media is exactly.

Social media is the general term for the different ways you can network on the Internet. By creating relationships with others online, you can position yourself as the expert in your field, offer helpful advice, answer questions, and gain the trust of those in your networking circles. Once this trust is formed, those in your network will be more likely to buy your product or tell others about your services.

You guessed it…this can equal more traffic to your site and better still, more money in your pocket.

Who Is Using Social Media?

Simply put – everyone!  Young, old, retired, working, professionals, laborers and even pets are using social media.  Even the Dali Lama is on Twitter!  Celebrities and average Joe’s alike are using social media to connect, build relationships and ultimately to profit in one form or another.

Social media, in many ways, is replacing traditional advertising. How often recently have you seen a commercial that said “visit our Facebook Fan page at www…..”?  Social media is coming into our homes, our computers, televisions and mainstream lives.

Different Forms of Social Media

There are hundreds of social media groups we, as online business owners, can join. Some are very small and niche-specific (think forums & message boards) while others are much broader in scope and have millions of users. Sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook fall into the broad category. If you use a combination of these different venues, spreading the word about your business can be done very quickly.

In a series of future blog posts, we are going to discuss 3 of the most popular social networking/media sites a little more in depth in this report. Before we get started, remember this:

Don’t underestimate the power of your online relationships.

You just never know what opportunities might arise just from talking to new people in your network – even if they are half way across the world from you!