Why Every Business Needs To Be Active In Social Networking

Social networking for business purposes gives a business a multitude of options that they would not have in traditional advertising mediums. First, any content generated for social networking purposes can be recycled into another format. In fact, the smartest businesses do this often. This allows the business greater flexibility than businesses who do solo shots of content in one format. Why not do the work once and then reuse the product or article in another format?

Social networking can drive traffic straight from the platform. This is how most people use social networking and usually the only way they use the web sites. This can be a good strategy especially when a business has a cause driving its existence or the business has a known enemy. This business can also have a strong opinion about a subject. This opinion can be used to generate traffic and followers. What is important is developing an affinity with a community of users on the market. This affinity is what will allow a business to drive traffic and make sales from the social media platform.

Social media is also a wealth of marketing information. This is one of the most important functions that social media is best for in marketing or sales. This medium is a source of truthful reviews of products and services. This is also the place where people will directly tell you what products and services they would like to see developed. A business would only have to develop those products and services to get those sales. They also have a market of people to sell because they know how to access those buyers immediately.

Social networking posts can also tell a business what topics are hot and may generate news coverage. Anything that trends on the social networking system is a strong indication that it is a hot news item that can be piggybacked on and easily used for press release generation. The fact about generating successful press releases is that it is a numbers game. It is best to find a hot topic and keep making press releases until a business gets the coverage they desire. If a business keeps making press releases then it is a matter of time before they get coverage instead of being a matter of odds.

In conclusion, social media is a platform that every business needs to be involved in today. The businesses that do not have a social networking presence will be left behind by those businesses that do have a presence on the social media systems. A business on the social media platforms has the advantage of seeing trends and developing press releases and content about those trends. These trends are far more likely to have readership because they are hot topics that everyone wants to read about, and as a corollary, news reporters want to report about in their newscasts or stories. This will generate buzz about a company and let reports find out that a business and the business owner is a resource on a topic. This means that the reporter will be far more likely to call the business owner when they need an expert about that subject. All this can be generated by listening to the social networks and generating content about what they want to hear.

The Top 10 Mistakes People Make Using Social Networking for Business

Those new to social networking or social media marketing - even some experienced using it - can easily get caught up in the moment, when positing. With such things as a serious sales pitch, cynical postings, invalidating a follower, protracted and unfriendly responses to someone unhappy with comments or products. While one comment can cost you, think about how a combination of these can take their toll. Void any good previously created on your pages.

Here are the top 10 social networking and social media marketing mistakes you can make:

1. Shameless Self-Promotion

By far, the worst thing you can do is use your social media site as a sales page. People on these sites don't want to be marketed to. They want to socialize, network and share common interests.

2. Buying Your Friends

On Fiverr.com and other freelance sites, you'll find people selling friends for social media sites. It may be tempting to pad your profile with fans, but this is a deadly mistake. In most cases, the 'friends' aren't even real people. If they are, count on the fact they're not really interested in your page or postings. Do this enough, and it will become obvious to real people who show up to visit your page.

3. One-Way Exchange

When people comment, or ask questions on your page, you must respond. You need to reply to questions, thank posters for comments and suggestions. In short, make visitors and followers feel welcome. This shows you're an approachable, responsive brand that cares about customers and clients.

4. Doing Nothing

What makes a social media site popular is interactivity. If yours just presents information about your brand, and nothing more, people won't stick around. Use the apps and widgets available to make your site interactive.

5. Social Media Neglect

Maintaining a social media site requires checking it regularly. Try to set aside time, daily, to post, comment and respond. The brands, most active, generally are the most popular; with the most active followers. Try to carve out a little time and include it in your schedule.

6. Fighting Words

Regardless of remarks made, never respond by complaining, insulting or fault-finding with a poster. Doing this can quickly brand you as unprofessional. Not just to the commenter but to other followers and visitors. Always be considerate, polite and friendly. Keep things positive even when you'd love to give someone a serious piece of your mind.

7. It's All About Me

If your page does nothing but talk about you, your products and services, people won't stay interested. Share tips, resources, links to other valuable info and articles. Create surveys and polls to discover what fans and followers would like to hear more about. Then create it or find it and share it.

8. Wallflower

Don't wait for people to visit your profile. Get out there and socialize. Make friends, spend time on other profiles. Take time to get to know people. You'll be surprised at what a difference this makes.

9. Inappropriate Comments

Whenever you're logged in, be extremely self-aware. Every statement you make - every suggestion, every comment - reflects your brand. Make them clear and concise. Show your personal side but steer clear of sharing too much personal info. Show yourself as a professional. A biz owner who can be counted on to do the job if hired. Someone people want to follow, refer and positively talk about.

10. All Over the Place

Create continuity by sticking to topics related to your brand. While it's okay to digress, show your personal side, sticking to related brand topics is best since it's what fans care about, most. And, very importantly, why they follow you.

Bottom line, respect your followers and fans, treat them well. Respond to questions and problems with care; provide additional info, if needed. Present them with valuable info, resources and links they can actually use. Show them you appreciate and value them. And they will continue to respect and follow you.