There is no question that social network marketing is not only here to stay but more than likely a moving force in marketing in general. Sometimes getting started with something new can become a very daunting task so I thought it would be advantageous to write a brief article on making this event a bit more user friendly.
In reality, social network marketing has two basic components. One is the personal side and the other a business event. In both cases the process is basically the same.
Step 1: Finding Your Home - You need to determine where you want to spend your time. Not all of the social network sites are the same. Some lean to different ages (i.e. MySpace), some to different niches (i.e. Facebook) and others more related to business (i.e. LinkedIn). Now, in reality, most of these sites, including the ones just mentioned, cross over to some degree.
If you have the time, join them all. Most people will find one or two networks where they will feel comfortable.
Step 2: Creating Your Profile - One the items common to practically all of the social network sites is the need to create a profile. Tell your future friends who you are, what you like and why you are participating in this specific forum. I would suggest that this is not the place for ’spin’. You need to be honest and forthcoming if you are going to create the long lasting relationships so necessary to be successful in social network marketing.
Step 3: Relationships - OK. OK, we now have to create relationships. Unfortunately this can sound a bit oversimplified but the actual reason for participating in social networking is to create relationships and interacting on a consistent basis about concepts they have in common. That is the true purpose of being ’social’.
This will require effort and time. The internet, being a relatively ‘unsocial’ environment due to the inability to actually ‘touch and feel’, requires additional effort. In most ‘brick and mortar’ relationships you meet someone, you talk, you look each other in the eye and a relationship starts.
Unfortunately this just doesn’t happen on the web. You need to be a bit more resourceful.
Step 4: Content/Frequency - Relationships on the social network scene are created by content you develop and post on the specific site. It doesn’t make a difference whether it’s on Twitter or on Facebook or MySpace. There are certain limitations with each of these websites but for the most part, you need to add content that is real and pertinent to your current and/or potential friends. You not only need to add good content but it needs to be frequently placed in order to a) get noticed and b) maintain relationships.
Step 5: Don’t Burn Your Bridges Marketing - OK. You may be reading this article in order to learn how to use social networks for marketing your new or current online or offline business. It is not the intention of this quick article to discuss all of the various ways to help you in that goal. However, there is one real important point to be made here that will make your marketing efforts successful. Be hones. Don’t SPAM or SCAM or you will most certainly burn your bridges behind you.
Like in the ‘real’ world, relationships are made and lost easily. It’s usually more difficult to make friends and real easy to lose them. On the web this process is made a bit more complicated and therefore it requires a great deal of attention.
Before I end this article I wanted to give you a real world example of what I am talking about with the hope that you can extrapolate it to the world of social networking.
The example is the club. When you begin to think of joining a club the first thing you need to determine is what type of club.(i.e. golf, tennis etc.) Let’s assume you are a great golfer and want to find new golfing friends. You join the club and start letting people know who you are. You can join a wide variety of committees. You go to club functions and try to meet club members. You tell them who you are and what you are looking for in the club. Then, you start participating in outings. You join foursomes and play as often as time permits. It is common knowledge that many who join golf clubs intend on using it as a business tool and therefore will ten to find like minded members and will eventually creating business while on the golf course. You’ll be honest and forthcoming or else you will either lose your foursome or even possibly your membership.
Conclusion: Does this sound familiar? Well, it should and the very same concepts apply to joining an online social network “club”. Whether you are currently a member of one or more social networks or planning on joining, be sure to think of the five basic steps before jumping in with both feet.
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