SOCIAL NETWORKING AND YOU
Networking Online
Today’s business landscape is vastly different than ever before. Business owners need to be aware of the need not only to promote their businesses through marketing and networking in the real world, but online as well. By using various online social media/networks many businesses have seen a marked increase in their sales and customer loyalty.
So, what exactly is Social Networking?
According to the online dictionary, Wikipedia – “Social Networking is a social network service focusing on enabling virtual communities that allow for the building and reflecting of social networks or social relationships among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities.” This definition sounds rather confusing to me, so let me explain further.
Let me explain. For example, let’s say you are the mayor of a small town and wish to increase your tourist trade. Being the entrepreneurial sort, you contact the mayor of a town that has a plethora of tourists and seek his advice. He asks you a couple of questions, you chat and he gives you names of people or organizations that have helped promote his town. You then you contact these people/organizations and communicate your needs and concerns. They in turn help you and suggest other sources…and so on. After a very short time you have all the information you need to help your town and have developed working relationships and perhaps friendships with the individuals you have contacted.
By using the same principles online, when you use Social Networking you have the ability to market your business s with no additional expense other than the fee you pay your internet provider. Talk about cost effective marketing! Plus, you will be connecting with professionals that can help move your business up to the next level.
Are you already using Facebook, MySpace or belong to an online group who share your same interests? Are you connecting with friends and acquaintances online typing out jokes or experiences you wish to share? If so, you are already using the basics of online social networking methods. But, there is so much more you can do to promote your business online. There are literally hundreds of online networks to join. Did you know that you can easily link your Twitter and Facebook account, so that whatever you post on Twitter (perhaps announcing an upcoming sale or new merchandise) it will be automatically be posted on your Facebook page. This saves you from having to post information twice and save time as well. How cool is that? (In upcoming articles I will be delving more into this subject and how you can make your own Social Networking business web of advice and service which will take your business even further up the marketing ladder of success.)
So take the leap and dive deeply in the world of online Social Media. It is a great way to promote your business, not only nationwide, but worldwide. Doing so will result in more customers and more income for you and your employees. Now how can any business owner be unhappy with that?
