Social networking sites have become popular marketing tools because they allow constant interaction between businesses and customers online. Marketers can use social media to engage with customers, promote their brand, drive traffic to their website, and create buzz around their products or services. Effective social media marketing involves defining target audiences, engaging with them by posting regularly and adding human elements to the business presence, while also promoting the brand in a natural way online over time to build loyalty and trust.
2. What is Online Social Networking?
From a conceptual standpoint, online social networking is no
different than traditional networking and socializing. You meet
people and get to know them by sharing information about each
other. Those you like and/or share interests with become part of
your "network." The marketing magic kicks in when those in your
network start talking about you. Your reputation spreads by
word-of-mouth.
The Internet and related technology have taken networking to the
next level, expanding each individual’s reach and exposure
through online marketing. Where traditionally people gather in
person to network ― at the same time and place as others ―
members of online networking groups are not limited by time or
geography. Each group member can interact 24/7 from any
location worldwide. Consequently, online networking techniques
are very different from in-person networking.
7. Use of Social Networking sites in
Marketing & Management
Social networking online is one of today’s hottest trends. Many,
however, wonder how social networking can help their careers
or businesses and exactly how to get started with this online
marketing technique.
Social networking sites have become so popular because of
following characteristics :-
Social sites are evolving in nature, they change from day to day
thanks to the contributions of it’s members – this is why they
are so successful. As the platform evolves constantly, so should
you approach to using this medium!
8. How To Interact Through Social
Networking
• Ways to interact are numerous. The first order of business is to
decide what your marketing goals are with respect to social
networking. While "finding new friends" is a sufficient personal
reason for social networking, business marketing goals need to be
more specific. Are you an individual looking for a job or freelance
work? Do you want to gain exposure for your product, brand or
company? Are you looking for potential employees or contractors?
Do you want to get prospects interested enough to visit your
Website or contact you? Your goals will dictate what you put on
your profile and social networking home page, as well as who you
look for to become part of your network.
• After you’ve decided on your purpose for online networking,
choose which social networking Website(s) you will participate in.
9. Where to Network Online
• You can find a comprehensive list of social networking sites here, I am familiar
with those listed below. They will give you an idea of the range of opportunities
you will find at social networking Websites:
• Yahoo! 360 (360.yahoo.com): Yahoo!'s social networking site is in beta as of this
writing. The unique feature here is your Yahoo! 360 space is cross-promoted with
other Yahoo! products, such as with your reviews on Yahoo! Local and your Yahoo!
Groups. Like many social networking sites, you can also host a blog on the server.
• MySpace (myspace.com): This is the mother of social networking sites. Originally
dominated by teens, there are reports of the "graying of myspace" as older people
and businesses are also networking on the site. It may be worth your while to
spend some time there to see if your target customers hang out there.
• LinkedIn (linkedin.com): LinkedIn is excellent for professional, career-related
online marketing because it focuses exclusively on business and professional
networking. You will find interfaces to connect with classmates or colleagues (both
past and present); find service providers or clients; post or find a job; and ask or
answer business-related questions.
10. Whom To Interact With
• The people you want to associate with (i.e. make "friends" or be
"connected" to) will depend largely on your goals. There are several types
of people you will want to consider contacting. Each can help you in
different ways, so consider looking for more than one type of "target
friend:"
• Customers and Consumers: People who will benefit from what you do,
consume or buy your products or services, and rave about you to their
friends.
• Others Within Your Industry: People with whom you can network, share
resources and cross-promote with.
• Media and Publishers: People who work for, or can influence,
publications you would like to be mentioned in (e-zines, newspapers,
Websites, etc).
• Consultants: People who may want to hire or purchase products from
you.
• Event, Company or Organization representatives: People who operate
businesses and associations that support your industry.
11. How Social Network Marketing can
grow your business marketing profits?
Social Media Marketing create opportunities to:
Adds a human element (you) to your business or product
Engage with customers directly but informally while hanging out online
It is fun and simple to do once you know how
Get traffic to your website
Create buzz around your website, product or service or brand
Create inbound links to your website for the search engine ranking benefit
Creates loyalty and trust
14. How to "do" Social Networking?
Working your Network
There are several things
can be done to become
more approachable:
- Your page is the first thing
people see when
researching you, so keep it
appealing.
-Add new content to your
page often, giving people a
reason to visit regularly.
Like all worthwhile business
relationships, online
networks must be
nurtured. Make the effort
to do so, and over time you
will reap the rewards.
15. How to "do" Social Networking?
Marketing For Business Profits
should define your audience, locate your potential
customers, build a social relationship with them and
promote your brand and website. What you choose to
do on these sites depends on what your business needs.
In most communities it is recommended to not start out
by promoting your brand or website. If you start out by
“spamming” you are likely to get kicked out of that social
community. The site administrators will most likely ban
you from returning. Being too direct in your sales pitch
could also scare people away
16.
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19. Platform for growth
Social media has become a platform that is easily
accessible to anyone with internet access, opening
doors for organizations to increase their brand
awareness and facilitate conversations with the
customer. Additionally, social media serves as a
relatively inexpensive platform for organizations to
implement marketing campaigns. Organizations can
receive direct feedback from their customers and
targeted markets.
20. Why Social Networking ?
Popularity :-Social media has been adopted by a critical
mass of the population which means it is important for
organizations to have a social media presence. Generally, some
official presence is better than none even if a specific strategy has
not been defined.
Advertising :-Social media is an enormous advertising
platform. Organizations are able to target individuals based upon
specific interests shared on social media. For example, if an
individual watches a YouTube video about jogging, a shoe
company can serve an ad or a coffee company can target ads to
individuals who post that they are tired on social media sites.
21. Customers :- One thing is Crystal clear that .
Customers are the King and the days of marketer & seller
are gone. Mass is moving to Social networking sites so
companies will also follow where there customers go .
Awareness :- Some organizations actively use social
media in their marketing plan to keep the brand fresh in
customers' and non-customers' minds. Linking with an
organization on a social media site allows the organization
to stay connected with individuals who may or may not be
customers instead of relying on them to initiate a contact
only when they are looking for additional information.
And many more :-----
22. How organizations use social media
Among the goals for which social media can be used are:
Customer service, e.g. direct response to customer
complaints
Broadcasting updates, announcements, news, e.g.
additional PR resource
Promotions
Behind the scenes look at the organization
Advertising