Social Media Marketing 101

Social media marketing engages a specific online audience through
conversation, creativity and community. This community functions
as an independent marketing tool and becomes a fundamental part
of a brand’s overall marketing strategy.
“It’s about brands having conversations.”
– Lloyd Salmons, Chairman, Internet Advertising Bureau

5 Reasons Why Your Small Business
Needs Social Media
1. Exposure / Branding: Use your company name in your Twitter handle.
Customer Service: Search websites like Twitter and Technorati for people talking about your company.
3. Networking / Sales Opportunities: Host a Tweetup or schedule a meeting with someone you met through social media.
4. Backlinks / Traffic: Sign up for Google Analytics or Webmaster to see where your traffic and backlinks are coming from.
5. Market Intelligence: Set up a Google Alert for your company name and subscribe to the alerts via email.

People who see your entries on social media websites will visit
your links and associated website.

Referral traffic from websites which link to you and send you
visitors, after they come across your content through social sites.

Blogs and Twitter are a great place to start:

Twitscoop.com
Technorati.com
Blogcatalog.com
Gayblogdirectory.com
Artbloggin.com
Blogher.com

Needs
Opinions
Issues

Integrate your online marketing with your overall Marketing Plan.
Outline your approach to delivering your products or services so they address the needs, opinions and issues that are important to your audience.
Lead a discussion that addresses a topic of importance and immediacy to your target audience.
Use proven marketing tools like contests & free samples.
Start an online group that provides information that relates issues to your product or service.

Engage your audience!
Provide Value!

What Erica says about
“LinkedIn is a great place to expand your professional network far outside your own areas of interest and experience.
Your LinkedIn Profile is your resume. What do you want people to know about you right away? You have three lines to make an impress, make it good.
LinkedIn Answers are a great exercise in dealing with the absurd. From ignorance to agenda, they give you a chance to be seen, heard and sometimes even understood.
Connect with relevance. You liked an answer or reply, that's relevant. A person has a lot of contacts in your field - sleazy but relevant. Like all social media, LinkedIn is a cocktail
party, and you aren't sure who might walk through the door - could be just the person you
were waiting for!”

What’s in a name?

Personal vs. Professional
User Name vs. Real Name

Important Account Information

Short interesting bio
Website Link
Custom Background
Avatar (Picture)

Account Settings

Public vs. Protected
Mobile Updates
Email Notices
Facebook Integration

Follow People

search.twitter.com
Find People link

Hashtags

Hashtags.org
Create using the hash symbol: #hashtag
Follow @hashtags to be tracked
Use sparingly & effectively

Twitter conventions

@ before a Twitter name is a “mention”: @lgesin
@ + Twitter name at the start of a tweet is a reply
D sends a direct message: D @lgesin
RT “retweets” another twitterer’s tweet

Manage multiple accounts with:
Manage your account with:
Share pictures with:

Test your website BEFORE you implement marketing strategy!
Measure the success of your approach with:
Monitor statistics provided by your hosting company.

For additional information, visit these websites: