| I have been 'hearing' this question all over the | | | | The top three networks are currently Twitter, |
| Internet. It's important for businesses to be a | | | | Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also use your |
| part of this explosive new era, Social Media | | | | blog to supplement these networks with valuable |
| Marketing. But before I get ahead of myself lets | | | | content. You need to be sure you are sticking to |
| get to 'what is social media?' | | | | your outlined campaign as it is very easy to get |
| You have probably heard about LinkedIn, | | | | distracted with all the applications in each network. |
| Facebook, blogs, Twitter, Squidoo and others. All | | | | Be sure you take your time when creating your |
| of these and many more encompass social media. | | | | profiles. Provide your website links, use your |
| This new communication is a unique form of | | | | keywords and provide a good bio. You can have |
| Internet marketing which strives to build your | | | | a expert help you with setting up your profiles for |
| branding. You participate by writing quality content | | | | optimum results. |
| and comments that match your communication | | | | Social media will bring your brand to your target |
| goals with newsworthy and interesting material. | | | | audience, you will interact with them and learn |
| Social media utilizes networking and | | | | from them. Ask questions and you will see |
| user-generated content platforms to | | | | exactly what your customers are looking for. By |
| communicate, while gently promoting a product or | | | | being create and unique you will be off to a |
| service. | | | | successful campaign. |
| What networks do you look for? There are many | | | | The last part, and be sure not to skip it, is the |
| online platforms where you can connect with your | | | | analytics piece. You can use tools to measure |
| target audience. Your business blog being one of | | | | your campaign's effectiveness. You need to see |
| the most important. Use your blog to incorporate | | | | what is working and what needs adjustment. |
| different types of media such as audio and video. | | | | Analytics can take a lot out of your schedule but |
| Then you use the social bookmarking sites to | | | | it is necessary. You can have your social media |
| spread the word about your content. Also look | | | | specialist create your analytic reports. A specialist |
| for niche forums, wikis and online communities | | | | can then offer suggestions on how to improve |
| that will bring you great opportunities. The most | | | | your current campaign. |
| popular online communities at this time are | | | | This new era can change the way people see |
| Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Digg, StumbleUpon, | | | | your business. It can get your name out there |
| Squidoo, and LinkedIn. | | | | and improve or start your online reputation |
| Where is the best place to start? Have you heard | | | | management. Now is the time to act on this new |
| the saying 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket?' | | | | era before your competition does. |
| Start with three networks, you want to be able | | | | The only limit is your imagination. |
| to manage them so don't start with too many. | | | | |