Many marketers forget that they should not be marketing to themselves, particularly when it comes to social media. The key to social media marketing is that if you are going to engage in it, you need to do so because it makes sense to your business. Online marketing can be a terrific thing when done correctly, but one size does not necessarily fit all.
Social media rock star Chris Brogan says that there are five things every small business owner should do online immediately:
- Start a blog. Yes, blogs are cheap and easy. Should every business blog? Probably not.
- Start listening. In other words, find out what others are saying about you. Fair enough – recon is always a good idea.
- Try Twitter OR Facebook. These are both great ways to find potential business, but choosing one of these vehicles must be strategic – go where your customers are.
- Get the word out. If you’re going to blog or have a social media presence, you need to let people know you’re out there, whether you’re putting your blog’s URL in your email’s signature line or your Twitter ID on your business card. I’m very fond of referencing the line about the proverbial tree in the forest – if no one knows how to find your blog, does it really matter how brilliantly it’s written?
- Try moving the needle. Invite social media-types into your world by enticing them with promotions and let them promote you through good word-of-mouth.
Tags: promotion