17 Tips and Strategies for Success to Use With Social Networking Sites
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17 Tips and Strategies for Success to Use With Social Networking
Social Media Blitz
Traffic Fuel Video
Social Media Marketing
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You can get started social networking right now without these tips and strategies for success and do just fine. These tips are designed to help you maximize your efforts. The goal is to help you achieve the greatest success possible.
#1 Be Transparent and Authentic
One of the most important steps you can take online and on social networking sites is to be yourself. When you make a mistake - own it. Don't try to be someone or something you are not. It's important because authenticity is what will attract people to you.
Transparency is what will keep you out of trouble. Imagine getting caught in a lie on a social networking site! Within seconds your reputation could be marred for life. Integrity and transparency are just good business. Carry that philosophy and mindset with you when you're networking too.
#2 Don't Spam
SPAM is the practice of sending unwanted messages to people. Many marketers take a follow as a perceived "Yes please post marketing messages on my wall and send me endless emails" agreement. It's not.
Make sure your messages are value based. If you have a promotion to offer people, great. Let them know about it and always offer value. Don't use social networking as a means to advertise for free.
And take great care to respect your friends or followers. Facebook recently allowed people to create groups and add you to the group without permission. You can lose friends this way. Always ask for permission.
#3 Separate Personal from Professional
Many social networking sites allow you to create more than one profile. Facebook enables you to create lists. The lists feature is useful because you can send messages to certain lists. For example, you can send a message about your class reunion to your classmates and your professional connection wont' see it. And you can send an article link to your professional connections and your classmates won't see it.
If you cannot separate the personal from the professional then decide what the purpose is for using the site and stick to it.
#4 Choose Your Connections Wisely
Some experts will tell you to increase your friends and followers to as many as you can. If you have thousands of people to follow, this can create disingenuous relationships. There is no way, even if you networked all day long, that you can connect with each one of them in a meaningful way.
With most sites you cannot limit the number of people who follow or friend you. However you can choose how many you follow in return. Choose wisely. Follow people who can offer you a value or direct benefit. Make sure any relationship you commit to is one you can follow up on.
#5 Update Frequently
Most people have a short attention span. If you don't consistently post and connect, people will forget about you. Your social networking efforts will lose their value quickly. You don't have to connect and post every day. However, there's certainly no harm in networking for a few minutes each day.
This is where the time management and scheduling tools come in handy. If you don't have time to network daily, consider outsourcing some of the tasks. Social networking has become a booming field and there are many experts who can manage the task for you quite effectively.
#6 Be Professional
Remember you're speaking to potential customers, vendors, business partners and associates and speak to them appropriately. Be positive and portray the image you want your customers to hold onto and remember.
#7 Embrace the Power of a Photos and Video
You might be surprised to learn that many experts recommend using a photo of yourself on your profile rather than a logo. This is because people connect with other people - not logos or brand images.
Also consider using photos and videos to connect on your profile page or wall. You might post a how to video on your Facebook Fan page. You might link to photos on your Twitter feed. TwitPic is a Twitter photo sharing tool.
You can also upload photos to your Facebook or MySpace profile. Using visual content is a great way to enhance a connection. It helps people establish an image of you and your brand. And photos or video can offer entertainment or informative value.
#8 Share from Other Resources
Link to relevant content on other sites. You can actually increase your credibility if you link to other credible sources of information. Offer quotes and data. Link to newsworthy articles in your industry.
#9 Use Attention Grabbing Headlines.
When creating posts or teasers, embrace copywriting techniques and post attention grabbing headlines.
· Ask questions - do you want to win an iPad?
· Use numbers - 5 ways to win an iPad
· Pique curiosity - Discover the secret to winning an iPad
· Use action oriented words like "Discover"or "Learn"
· Use scarcity or urgency - Only 1 iPad left. Claim yours now.
#10 Offer Giveaways and Freebies
Who doesn't love to get something for free? Offer freebie downloads, discounts and giveaways on your social networking site of choice. You can post links to the freebie content to build an email list, to drive traffic or to simply offer value. You can also offer the freebies to your social networking fans or friends only. This may help increase your following.
#11 Embrace Developers and Technology
There are a number of applications, tools, widgets and services that can help you optimize your social networking efforts. Some of the most popular ones include:
· SocialOomph - Twitter scheduler
· HootSuite - Twitter scheduler, analytics and user tool
· Friendly - Facebook on the iPad/iPod
· TweetDeck - publish Tweets from your mobile device
· Twitteriffic - publish Tweets from your mobile device
· Facebook Badges - Publish on your website and make it easy for people to follow you
This is just the beginning. There are literally thousands of applications. Before you start downloading them all, decide what you need help managing or what your goals are and then compare your options. Chances are, if you have a need there is a developer working on a solution.
Conclusion
What to Expect From Your Social Networking Efforts
Like anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Social networking is no different.
If you go into it with a goal, a plan and a desire to connect you will achieve success. You will achieve your goals.
Remember to start small. Focus on accomplishing goals that make sense and support your business. Participate fully, make friends, build relationships and offer value and you will create the loyal following you are seeking. You will boost your traffic. You will increase awareness and exposure for your business. You will also increase your profits.
Make time to network with clear goals in mind. Be authentic and transparent. Connect, inform, motivate, entertain, and inspire. Show your audience who you are and the value you and your business have to offer.
Use social networking to learn, grow and prosper.
Social networking is a growing medium because it works. Follow the strategies and guidelines presented in this course and reap the rewards.
Happy Networking!
Dania
www.makingmoneyhowto.biz
www.homebusinesstalk.biz
www.momsebizblog.blogspot.com
Social Media Blitz
Traffic Fuel Video
Social Media Marketing
Get the Best Of Marlon Sanders for FREE
You can get started social networking right now without these tips and strategies for success and do just fine. These tips are designed to help you maximize your efforts. The goal is to help you achieve the greatest success possible.
#1 Be Transparent and Authentic
One of the most important steps you can take online and on social networking sites is to be yourself. When you make a mistake - own it. Don't try to be someone or something you are not. It's important because authenticity is what will attract people to you.
Transparency is what will keep you out of trouble. Imagine getting caught in a lie on a social networking site! Within seconds your reputation could be marred for life. Integrity and transparency are just good business. Carry that philosophy and mindset with you when you're networking too.
#2 Don't Spam
SPAM is the practice of sending unwanted messages to people. Many marketers take a follow as a perceived "Yes please post marketing messages on my wall and send me endless emails" agreement. It's not.
Make sure your messages are value based. If you have a promotion to offer people, great. Let them know about it and always offer value. Don't use social networking as a means to advertise for free.
And take great care to respect your friends or followers. Facebook recently allowed people to create groups and add you to the group without permission. You can lose friends this way. Always ask for permission.
#3 Separate Personal from Professional
Many social networking sites allow you to create more than one profile. Facebook enables you to create lists. The lists feature is useful because you can send messages to certain lists. For example, you can send a message about your class reunion to your classmates and your professional connection wont' see it. And you can send an article link to your professional connections and your classmates won't see it.
If you cannot separate the personal from the professional then decide what the purpose is for using the site and stick to it.
#4 Choose Your Connections Wisely
Some experts will tell you to increase your friends and followers to as many as you can. If you have thousands of people to follow, this can create disingenuous relationships. There is no way, even if you networked all day long, that you can connect with each one of them in a meaningful way.
With most sites you cannot limit the number of people who follow or friend you. However you can choose how many you follow in return. Choose wisely. Follow people who can offer you a value or direct benefit. Make sure any relationship you commit to is one you can follow up on.
#5 Update Frequently
Most people have a short attention span. If you don't consistently post and connect, people will forget about you. Your social networking efforts will lose their value quickly. You don't have to connect and post every day. However, there's certainly no harm in networking for a few minutes each day.
This is where the time management and scheduling tools come in handy. If you don't have time to network daily, consider outsourcing some of the tasks. Social networking has become a booming field and there are many experts who can manage the task for you quite effectively.
#6 Be Professional
Remember you're speaking to potential customers, vendors, business partners and associates and speak to them appropriately. Be positive and portray the image you want your customers to hold onto and remember.
#7 Embrace the Power of a Photos and Video
You might be surprised to learn that many experts recommend using a photo of yourself on your profile rather than a logo. This is because people connect with other people - not logos or brand images.
Also consider using photos and videos to connect on your profile page or wall. You might post a how to video on your Facebook Fan page. You might link to photos on your Twitter feed. TwitPic is a Twitter photo sharing tool.
You can also upload photos to your Facebook or MySpace profile. Using visual content is a great way to enhance a connection. It helps people establish an image of you and your brand. And photos or video can offer entertainment or informative value.
#8 Share from Other Resources
Link to relevant content on other sites. You can actually increase your credibility if you link to other credible sources of information. Offer quotes and data. Link to newsworthy articles in your industry.
#9 Use Attention Grabbing Headlines.
When creating posts or teasers, embrace copywriting techniques and post attention grabbing headlines.
· Ask questions - do you want to win an iPad?
· Use numbers - 5 ways to win an iPad
· Pique curiosity - Discover the secret to winning an iPad
· Use action oriented words like "Discover"or "Learn"
· Use scarcity or urgency - Only 1 iPad left. Claim yours now.
#10 Offer Giveaways and Freebies
Who doesn't love to get something for free? Offer freebie downloads, discounts and giveaways on your social networking site of choice. You can post links to the freebie content to build an email list, to drive traffic or to simply offer value. You can also offer the freebies to your social networking fans or friends only. This may help increase your following.
#11 Embrace Developers and Technology
There are a number of applications, tools, widgets and services that can help you optimize your social networking efforts. Some of the most popular ones include:
· SocialOomph - Twitter scheduler
· HootSuite - Twitter scheduler, analytics and user tool
· Friendly - Facebook on the iPad/iPod
· TweetDeck - publish Tweets from your mobile device
· Twitteriffic - publish Tweets from your mobile device
· Facebook Badges - Publish on your website and make it easy for people to follow you
This is just the beginning. There are literally thousands of applications. Before you start downloading them all, decide what you need help managing or what your goals are and then compare your options. Chances are, if you have a need there is a developer working on a solution.
Conclusion
What to Expect From Your Social Networking Efforts
Like anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Social networking is no different.
If you go into it with a goal, a plan and a desire to connect you will achieve success. You will achieve your goals.
Remember to start small. Focus on accomplishing goals that make sense and support your business. Participate fully, make friends, build relationships and offer value and you will create the loyal following you are seeking. You will boost your traffic. You will increase awareness and exposure for your business. You will also increase your profits.
Make time to network with clear goals in mind. Be authentic and transparent. Connect, inform, motivate, entertain, and inspire. Show your audience who you are and the value you and your business have to offer.
Use social networking to learn, grow and prosper.
Social networking is a growing medium because it works. Follow the strategies and guidelines presented in this course and reap the rewards.
Happy Networking!
Dania
www.makingmoneyhowto.biz
www.homebusinesstalk.biz
www.momsebizblog.blogspot.com