Social Media is an Unstoppable Force – Learn How to Use it to Your Advantage

Facebook has nearly half a billion users. According to Alexa rankings, it’s the #1 site in the world, after Google. Twitter follows at #11, after hitting the 100 million users mark. With practically the entire world participating in online communities, it’s obvious why businesses are using these websites for marketing and networking.

According to eMarketer studies, 70% of internet users in the US will be visiting social media websites by 2014. Consumers of all demographics visit sites such as Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis. No matter what type of company you run or products you sell, you can reach out to potentially thousands of consumers thanks to social media opportunities.

One example of social media marketing (SMM) effectiveness includes Nature Valley. This granola bar maker ran a campaign in which it offered money to charitable organizations for every new follower on Facebook.

Within 24 hours, the company gained 75,000 followers.

While Nature Valley didn’t receive any direct sales through this campaign, it still acquired an extensive network of potential consumers to whom it could market future products.

At social networking sites, users can share their interests with one another. This gives businesses a way to study demographics and do market research without spending a lot of money. You can connect with other people and let them know what your company is all about. In short: social media marketing gives you a chance to build a positive relationship with consumers.

What makes SMM so wonderful is that it involves creating awareness about a brand without resorting to spam. You can present information about your company subtly rather than forcefully. The trick, of course, is getting people to actually follow you. You don’t have to go the same route as Nature Valley, but you still need to find a way to gain the trust and interest of online communities.

You can do this by participating in conversations. There are thousands of conversations on any topic imaginable. And they’re not just at Facebook and Twitter, either – you can visit a number of online communities and forums and participate in Q&A sessions, conversations, and debates.

Interaction is the key to social media marketing.

If somebody asks a question about your niche, step in and give them an answer. If another member of the community gives them information that you feel is misleading, let them know. Don’t be afraid to participate in online discussions. Sometimes all it takes is one good video, post, or article for a company to go viral. Other times it takes a lot of hard work and effort for a company to create awareness.

In regards to Twitter, don’t spam the system with Tweet after Tweet. Make each Tweet as informative as possible. If you want to share an article, create an intriguing introduction to it in order to get people to click on the link. Prove to others that you are the source of whatever it is that they need. Let them know that they can count on you to provide them with the answers and information they seek.

Social media networking is here to stay, and is going to grow even more in the years to come. Make sure your company is a part of it.