Posts Tagged ‘social media networking’

Being a “Resource” not a “Salesman” on Social Media Networking Sites…

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

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…Ok, so, I’ve said this many, many times yet still see businesses making the annoying errors of “selling” on SMN sites rather than simply being a resource. People like to buy from those they’re familiar with…not people that are constantly throwing prices and “selling” to them. I mean, come on! People get on Facebook and Twitter to communicate and it’s the one place they want to escape constantly being sold.

Earn the trust of your consumers by showing them you’re knowledgeable in your area of business and that you know your stuff. Become a resource by posting useful tidbits of information. Interact with your fans or followers by asking for their input…no one likes a know it all and believe me, WE ALL don’t know it ALL! You may even get some interesting input and ideas to help your business by getting feedback from friends, fans and followers. In some cases and every once in a while it’s good to throw prices…if you own a restaurant, for example, it’s okay to mention “a” special now and then, i.e. happy hours, etc. But if you’re launching a new place and you’re already throwing cheap prices, you’re devaluing your product before you’ve established your forte or specialty. Don’t devalue your product…especially if you have an amazing product to begin with. Have tastings and events to bring awareness and show your product worth.

Once you’ve hit it big and are established, then say “thank you” to your consumers for making your business a success by having specials. But just as fast as you can promote your business on social media networking sites, you can hurt it if you are NOT promoting it positively and with confidence. Remember, to bring in the kind of consumer into your establishment that will take care of your employees and not mind paying regular prices on your products, you must believe in your products and services first. For these are the type of consumers that will “grow” your business, not trash it. We’ve posted several blogs on “Selling on SMN Sites in a Socializing Kind of Way”…check out our blogs on our website, Facebook Page, Twitter, Bebo, Blogger, FriendFeed, Friendster, LinkedIn and MySpace, Plurk…all WordSpreadMedia.

What’s a good time to post status updates on social media networking sites?

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

…Not past 11pm and not all bunched up. Really! The way social media networking is designed to work:
A. to help brand intrusively without “selling”
B. don’t post a bunch of posts all at once…spread it out!
C. you’ll reach a much larger audience during “peek” SMN times…usually, that’s not after 11pm-12am.ami-blog-pic-4-10-093

RT Marketing on Social Media Networks…hurting your business or helping?

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

If you’re adding to the top of mind awareness and branding of your business through social media networking, you may want to double check your approach. I’ve seen businesses that are “selling” or “pimping” their product on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other sites and it makes me go . Seriously, if you consider the fact that we as consumers are constantly being sold, ’round the clock, so what makes you think we want to be sold when we’re trying to socialize albeit online and more specifically on our “social” sites? It’s one thing to take out an ad, that is expected, but if you are trying to gain loyalty and new customers through social media networking through your blogs or status updates, just consider the following tidbits of info:
DON’TS
1. Don’t sell, period
2. Don’t ADVERTISE specials or prices…that’s selling
3. Don’t offer sampling of any kind…again, that’s selling
3. Don’t knock any competition
DO’S
1. Do offer informative info that peeps can use
2. Do suggest, but indirectly
3. Do include a personal connection with friends, fans and followers
4. Do make it more personal by using YOUR personality

And if you’re Tweeting, I recommend using your own personal pic…even use a pic taken by a cell phone or something. People appreciate real and down to earthiness people they can relate to and more importantly, trust.

Ever hear the phrase, don’t mix business with pleasure?

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Well, that applies to social media networking as well. If you have your business on social media networking sites, NEVER blend with your personal. It’s one thing to be “personable” and another to mix business profiles with personal ones. Don’t do it…create separate profiles for your business and your personal life. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself quoting Homer Simpson “Dough!!!” Not good.

RT @wordspreadmedia Social Media Networking…hurting your business or helping?

Friday, December 18th, 2009

If you’re adding to the top of mind awareness and branding of your business through social media networking, you may want to double check your approach. I’ve seen businesses that are “selling” or “pimping” their product on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other sites and it makes me go . Seriously, if you consider the fact that we as consumers are constantly being sold, ’round the clock, so what makes you think we want to be sold when we’re trying to socialize albeit online and more specifically on our “social” sites? It’s one thing to take out an ad, that is expected, but if you are trying to gain loyalty and new customers through social media networking through your blogs or status updates, just consider the following tidbits of info:
DON’TS
1. Don’t sell, period
2. Don’t ADVERTISE specials or prices…that’s selling
3. Don’t offer sampling of any kind…again, that’s selling
3. Don’t knock any competition
DO’S
1. Do offer informative info that peeps can use
2. Do suggest, but indirectly
3. Do include a personal connection with friends, fans and followers
4. Do make it more personal by using YOUR personality

And if you’re Tweeting, I recommend using your own personal pic…even use a pic taken by a cell phone or something. People appreciate real and down to earthiness people they can relate to and more importantly, trust. Have a great weekend!!