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Building followers on social media is better than buying traffic

by TheGMa
21 replies
There are many threads about spending money to drive traffic to one's sales site. I find that a bit worrisome for any other than trained and experienced marketers. One cannot randomly purchase views. The list must be demographically appropriate to the niche, and that gets expensive. One must know exactly what traffic will make purchases on the site, and that means having a visceral understanding of your market.

I don't know about you, but I have a distinct aversion to paying for anything I can whip together myself. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of outsourcing, but only when a particular task has been well-established and now takes away from another biz-building task that require personal attention.

I am working my way toward setting up a long-term online business. For the niche to be successful, I need a loyal following.

I started on Facebook in August, and even after taking 3 weeks off and not visiting every day, I have close to 1,000 friends and have been joined by them to groups totaling close to 200,000 members, all in a targeted market. It's a market I really enjoy, and gaining the requests and recommendations has everything to do with how and why you post. And it's all free.

There's more work to be done before I can begin gathering information for site articles that must be in place prior to publishing.

What I am saying is that you can create an enthusiastic following through social media in any market, even one you know nothing about, and in doing so, learn what your people need that you can gather in one spot and furnish for them.
#building #followers #media #social
  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    Problem is, all the work you've done thus far has not resulted in any sales - which is kind of the main thing for a business. A loyal following, people reading what you write, etc is great.. but if they don't give you money out of their wallet then it's a waste of time. Eventually, you should have a good idea of what percentage of your followers are buyers. Personally, I drive a lot of traffic from social media. But only a certain percentage is going to buy. Long term, when you know the numbers, it'll be a lot easier to predict your success and make sure what you're doing is "worth it".
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by Gambino View Post

      Problem is, all the work you've done thus far has not resulted in any sales - which is kind of the main thing for a business. A loyal following, people reading what you write, etc is great.. but if they don't give you money out of their wallet then it's a waste of time. Eventually, you should have a good idea of what percentage of your followers are buyers. Personally, I drive a lot of traffic from social media. But only a certain percentage is going to buy. Long term, when you know the numbers, it'll be a lot easier to predict your success and make sure what you're doing is "worth it".
      Hello Gambino, thank you for the reply - Um, I haven't done any hard work at all. I've only spent a matter of days, what ... started on Aug 15, took the first 3 weeks of September off, been on twice in October, that makes about 20 active days... enjoying myself.

      I am not ready to make sales yet. In my post I stated that I am building articles prior to the release of my wordpress site, where sales will take place. I have a business plan that is being put in place.

      I am studying my chosen niche so that when my viewers follow me to my blog, what they are looking for will be there waiting for them. Correct me if I'm wrong,, but it seems illogical to slap up ads willy nilly on what is a new Facebook page (only a few weeks old) where I am still in the process of building trust and loyalty.
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      • Profile picture of the author SmartTim
        Paid traffic is going to convert more than followers. Followers can just follow you. There are a lot of fake profiles following my Twitter. They are not going to pay for a single dime for my products. Moreover, new users on Twitter usually get to follow some people. Usually those new users just follow you blindly so you won't get any sales at all.

        Paid traffic is a traffic that you get from Bing, Google Adwords. Those are targeted visitors as they visit your website upon clicking on ads that is displayed on the SERPs. For example if you are interested on weight loss products and you do a search on Google. You found some weight loss products and you clicked on the first result which is the Google adwords result, this kind of traffic will normally convert well.
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        • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
          Originally Posted by SmartTim View Post

          Paid traffic is going to convert more than followers. Followers can just follow you. There are a lot of fake profiles following my Twitter. They are not going to pay for a single dime for my products. Moreover, new users on Twitter usually get to follow some people. Usually those new users just follow you blindly so you won't get any sales at all.

          Paid traffic is a traffic that you get from Bing, Google Adwords. Those are targeted visitors as they visit your website upon clicking on ads that is displayed on the SERPs. For example if you are interested on weight loss products and you do a search on Google. You found some weight loss products and you clicked on the first result which is the Google adwords result, this kind of traffic will normally convert well.
          Hello SmartTim

          Yes, you are correct on some points for my situation. I haven't begun the Twitter thing as yet, but it is part of my business plan. My Facebook following are all of a certain profession, so it's pretty easy to weed out those who are not directly connected to the profession or who would have little interest in purchasing targeted items.

          On the other hand, my niche is loved by many, professionals and not, and I have a healthy supply of competitors, which is perfect. I love going after the competition, doing one or 10 better.

          As soon as I'm up and running, I'll tell you where I am because I'm sure going to need the advice. I'll be in the thicket in the forest, so outside views and WSO recommendations will be a priority.

          I'll especially need guidance from those of you who are doing well on Twitter and Instagram and other trendy tools, 'cause I'm clueless and don't have time to learn the hard way.

          - Annie
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by TheGMa View Post

        Hello Gambino, thank you for the reply - Um, I haven't done any hard work at all. I've only spent a matter of days, what ... started on Aug 15, took the first 3 weeks of September off, been on twice in October, that makes about 20 active days... enjoying myself.

        I am not ready to make sales yet. In my post I stated that I am building articles prior to the release of my wordpress site, where sales will take place. I have a business plan that is being put in place.

        I am studying my chosen niche so that when my viewers follow me to my blog, what they are looking for will be there waiting for them. Correct me if I'm wrong,, but it seems illogical to slap up ads willy nilly on what is a new Facebook page (only a few weeks old) where I am still in the process of building trust and loyalty.
        You meant to say Correct me if I'm wrong,, but it seems illogical to slap up a Thread with a Title that says Building followers on social media is better than buying traffic when I have willy nilly to substantiate this claim with hard data and proven sales


        - Robert Andrew
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        • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
          Originally Posted by discrat View Post

          You meant to say Correct me if I'm wrong,, but it seems illogical to slap up a Thread with a Title that says Building followers on social media is better than buying traffic when I have willy nilly to substantiate this claim with hard data and proven sales


          - Robert Andrew
          Umm, paraphrased from umpty ump advice posts in the forum, plus I built a web site that made very good money for many years, with a loyal following, no traffic ever purchased, and though I have retired and no longer manage the site, meaning no one does, it is still bringing in the dough for the company I built.

          My goodness; there are certainly some very mean spirited people in here. Thank heaven there are so many nice ones to make up for it.
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          • Profile picture of the author discrat
            Originally Posted by TheGMa View Post

            Umm, paraphrased from umpty ump advice posts in the forum, plus I built a web site that made very good money for many years, with a loyal following, no traffic ever purchased, and though I have retired and no longer manage the site, meaning no one does, it is still bringing in the dough for the company I built.

            My goodness; there are certainly some very mean spirited people in here. Thank heaven there are so many nice ones to make up for it.
            You say mean spirited, I say just frank and open. I have been around here long enough to see things like this.
            i.e. people making generalizations in their Title and Body of Post without substantial proof ( hard sales and revenue) of what they claim.

            This benefits no one and can actually be harmful to Members , particular newer ones who think what you are saying is set in stone
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            • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
              Originally Posted by discrat View Post

              You say mean spirited, I say just frank and open. I have been around here long enough to see things like this.
              i.e. people making generalizations in their Title and Body of Post without substantial proof ( hard sales and revenue) of what they claim.

              This benefits no one and can actually be harmful to Members , particular newer ones who think what you are saying is set in stone
              Hi Robert! You are one of the few warriors I follow. Thanks for chiming in again.

              My post is based on long-standing truisms. There is no need for me to provide substantiation, it's basic general and business psychology. A friend will follow you and follow your recommendations. If you have many friends, all interested in the same thing, and if you are good to them and pay attention to them and take the time to understand them, they are more likely to buy something from you than from a stranger.

              Lists built from an understanding of the buyers and a genuine interest in them are very important to a business's success, and that's what I've built and am continuing to build, without spending a dime. Isn't that the big dream? It's pasted all over the forum, yeah?

              I have known peeps to buy random or mis-targeted lists time and again, and paid dreadful amounts for them, with absolutely no results. I've been sent PM asking why the lists didn't work. C'mon Robert, you've been around long enough to understand what I'm talking about.

              And as I stated in the OP, it's in preparation for my site. I'm doing the groundwork.

              - Annie
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  • Profile picture of the author MelindaMore
    Yeah, you're right. If you can gather a group of people, find their problems and provide solutions to their problems you'll make money.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by MelindaMore View Post

      Yeah, you're right. If you can gather a group of people, find their problems and provide solutions to their problems you'll make money.
      Thank you, Melinda.

      Hey, I'm all for the quick buck, but I now know 2 who have had landslide sales in WSO and ended up flat broke in no time because it was all flash and dash - no long term plan.
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  • Profile picture of the author st0nec0ld
    I haven't ever spent a dime on social media sites just for the sake of increasing my followers count. I always on the organic way, experimenting on how my strategies work. One of my Facebook page I've been handling started from a hundred this year and now it has more than a hundred sixty. And just looking at it, at least I realized that even though I haven't spent a single dime on it, my strategies work in some ways.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by st0nec0ld View Post

      I haven't ever spent a dime on social media sites just for the sake of increasing my followers count. I always on the organic way, experimenting on how my strategies work. One of my Facebook page I've been handling started from a hundred this year and now it has more than a hundred sixty. And just looking at it, at least I realized that even though I haven't spent a single dime on it, my strategies work in some ways.
      Oh yes, I'm a firm believer in organic as well. There are so many ways to build a loyal following, and experimenting is always fun. Love working those little gray cells, developing landing pages, writing about the same thing in different ways to see what appeals to link backs and click-through's.

      Good for you for jumping in there and pushing through to achieving results. Not everyone has the persistence to do that.

      - Annie
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben Scott Jr
    Originally Posted by TheGMa View Post


    What I am saying is that you can create an enthusiastic following through social media in any market, even one you know nothing about, and in doing so, learn what your people need that you can gather in one spot and furnish for them.
    You threw me off in that last sentence. How can you furnish to anyone in a specific market that you don't know nothing about? One of the biggest reasons for such a large percentage of failures for alleged online marketers, has alot to do with that mentality.

    Just look at the amount of posts made on this forum daily from frustrated members who are asking for help to earn money online, but in their signature their promoting the big secret of how you can get rich online.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by Ben Scott Jr View Post

      You threw me off in that last sentence. How can you furnish to anyone in a specific market that you don't know nothing about? One of the biggest reasons for such a large percentage of failures for alleged online marketers, has alot to do with that mentality.

      Just look at the amount of posts made on this forum daily from frustrated members who are asking for help to earn money online, but in their signature their promoting the big secret of how you can get rich online.
      Hello Ben,

      Yes, you can jump in to an unknown niche. I knew next to nothing about the niche I found on Facebook, but was fascinated by it and am learning by leaps and bounds because I decided to make a go of it. It's an awful lot of fun and the peeps are terrific - and in need of supplies, connections, and all sorts of money-making things, making it a win-win situation.

      I also knew very little about the niche I started back in the 90's, but I studied and learned and built a very successful web site and organization that's still going strong. I'm retired from that.

      It's all about attitude and listening to people. I mean really listening.

      As for the post advertising, I block the signatures, Ben. Warriors tell me about their character, tenacity, seriousness, and the extent of their knowledge in their posts. If I want to learn more from a particular warrior of good character and experience, I check their profile and go find the WSO. It's worked very well for me so far. Yes, I've spent money and no, none of it was wasted.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    One must know exactly what traffic will make purchases on the site, and that means having a visceral understanding of your market.
    I smell a shill...or should I say one of many??

    Let's just see who comes along and wholeheartedly agrees with all this BS.
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    Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
    All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      I smell a shill...or should I say one of many??

      Let's just see who comes along and wholeheartedly agrees with all this BS.
      Oh for corn sakes Brent, I've posted the business I built, and it's listed in my profile. You've even posted in a thread or two where I mentioned it.

      Built in 1999, and one of a kind for years, it has more than 2,000 pages used by attorneys, law enforcement, researchers, reporters, and people in need.

      Why are so many of you jumping on me like you are? I'm speaking from years of experience. What were you doing on the net in the 80's?

      Never mind. I wasn't making much when I came back here, but I'm starting to do well now on the site I started in June using many of the same tricks I've used before. I have been advised by forum members to leave how much I make out of it, and I certainly understand why.

      Bye guys, have a good one.
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  • Profile picture of the author eagle3y3
    Like a lot of people have said. You need sales in order to back up your claim.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by eagle3y3 View Post

      Like a lot of people have said. You need sales in order to back up your claim.
      Hi Eagle3y3!

      Okay, I'll try this again, but the last time I rec'd an Admin PM saying I couldn't post my site.

      Here is the site and business I built and ran for 15 years. I am now President Emeritus. No one has attended to the site since I retired back in 2008, but the biz is still quite active. www.fraudaid.com (Fraud Aid, Inc.) It's listed in my profile.

      I also received a PM from an ancient warrior laughing at someone in my line of work participating in this forum, until I explained the facts about establishing and running that kind of biz. Now we are fast friends.

      - Annie
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  • Profile picture of the author Nisip
    Banned
    First of all, getting few thousands Twitter followers means they will probably be your repeated clients over and over again.

    While buying traffic - means they are one time seeing your website, and then they're usually all gone forever.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by Nisip View Post

      First of all, getting few thousands Twitter followers means they will probably be your repeated clients over and over again.

      While buying traffic - means they are one time seeing your website, and then they're usually all gone forever.
      Thank you for your reply, Nisip.

      I am still unfamiliar with Twitter, but you are so right. If you take a genuine interest in people, they will stick to you like glue and repeatedly follow your recommendations.

      It's worked for me, and many other warriors, for years. My only challenge is all the new systems and jargon.
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  • Profile picture of the author aizazsaleem
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  • Profile picture of the author drjoeel
    I agree I think you nailed it when you said you like it. I think people miss the point of social media and being part of a community. What will help you is to actually like what you do and enjoy being part of the community and contributing to them and if you are able to do that you can develop a following and that the same time enjoy the process
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