Using Social Media to Grow Your Business - How to Use Social Media Sites As a Marketing Strategy

Social media connects people in the online world to form relationships for personal and business purposes. Online marketers use media sites to build communities, discuss business issues, share expertise and build their brand and to establish themselves as experts. Social networking sites enable a marketer to advertise freely, expand market and to text marketing messages. Therefore to maximize the use of social media as a marketing strategy, you need to know how to use it effectively and efficiently.

How to use social media sites

1. Target your audience and choose your networking sites

What social networks are your clients visiting? What social media website is specific to your industry? Not all media sites will be good for your business. Choose the appropriate site and go to where your audience is and start conversation.

2. Set goals

Now that you know your audience and where to market to them, you need to set your goals. Is it to drive traffic to your website or to generate leads for your business? Or is it just to get your company's name out there for brand recognition? Your goal determines what you do with the social networking sites. Remember that your goals should be realistic and achievable.

3. Social media tools

There are tools that surround social networking like blogging, RSS feeds, viral video, etc. Choose the tools that you can combine with your social networking comfortably and will also enhance your business. Learn how to use them and incorporate them.

4. Create profiles

Create profiles on the social media sites you have chosen. Include a photo for people to closely identify with you. Talk about yourself and your business. People want to know more about you and your business before they buy whatever you are selling.

5. Success factors

To succeed with social networking campaign, you need to be transparent, honest, and relevant, committed and value minded. You need to build trust and loyalty with your audience. Offer suggestions, provide feedback and answer specific questions. Furthermore, do not always try to sell to them. Try to understand the need of the consumer instead of forcing yourself on your customer.

6. Remain active

Stay active in your media sites and relevant communities. Monitor and engage in conversations regularly and appropriately. Do not allow your networking presence to lie dormant. Make your audience to look forward to reading your next posts and to hearing what next you have to say.

Using social media as a marketing strategy enables you to achieve much within a short time but it requires time, consistency and perseverance in order for you to grow your business with it. Be patient for the results; wait for the fruit to ripe. Remember if it works for others, it will surely work for you.

Ngozi Nwoke is a business and marketing coach. MLM home-based business is easy on-line. Want more information on how to grow your business? check http://www.ngozinwoke.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ngozi_Nwoke