Network Marketing is not only here to stay but will become even more important in the future. However, it is sometimes a difficult task to get started so I thought an article like this would be of help in getting those interested started in the right direction. In reality, social network marketing has two basic components. One is the personal side and the other a business event. In both cases the process is basically the same. Step 1: Finding Your Home - You need to determine where you want to spend your time. Not all of the social network sites are the same. Some lean to different ages (i.e. MySpace), some to different niches (i.e. Facebook) and others more related to business (i.e. LinkedIn). Now, in reality, most of these sites, including the ones just mentioned, cross over to some degree. If you have the time, join them all. Most people will find one or two networks where they will feel comfortable. Step 2: Creating Your Profile - One thing all social networks have in common is that you need to create a personal and/or business profile. Tell your future friends who you are, what you like and why you are participating in this specific forum. I would suggest that this is not the place for 'spin'. You need to be honest and forthcoming if you are going to create the long lasting relationships so necessary to be successful in social network marketing. Step 3: Relationships - OK. OK, we now have to create relationships. This may sound a bit simplistic but the real purpose of social networking is to create a group of like minded people collaborating on a frequent basis about things they have in common. That is the true purpose of being 'social'. This will take some time and effort. The internet, being a relatively 'unsocial' environment due to the inability to actually 'touch and feel', requires additional effort. In most 'brick and mortar' relationships you meet someone, you talk, you look each other in the eye and a relationship starts. Unfortunately this just doesn't happen on the web. You need to be a bit more resourceful. Step 4: Content/Frequency - Relationships on the social network scene are created by content you develop and post on the specific site. It doesn't make a difference whether it's on Twitter or on Facebook or MySpace. There are certain limitations with each of these websites but for the most part, you need to add content that is real and pertinent to your current and/or potential friends. You not only need to add good content but it needs to be frequently placed in order to a) get noticed and b) maintain relationships. Step 5: Don't Burn Your Bridges Marketing - OK. You may be reading this article in order to learn how to use social networks for marketing your new or current online or offline business. Sorry, but this brief article really can't go into all of the various tools available to assist you in that endeavor. However, there is one real important point to be made here that will make your marketing efforts successful. Be hones. Don't SPAM or SCAM or you will most certainly burn your bridges behind you. Just like in the real world, friends are made and friends can be lost. It's usually more difficult to make friends and real easy to lose them. On the web this process is made a bit more complicated and therefore it requires a great deal of attention. Before I end this article I wanted to give you a real world example of what I am talking about with the hope that you can extrapolate it to the world of social networking. The example is the club. When you begin to think of joining a club the first thing you need to determine is what type of club.(i.e. golf, tennis etc.) Let's assume you are a great golfer and want to find new golfing friends. You join the club and start letting people know who you are. You can join a wide variety of committees. You go to club functions and try to meet club members. You tell them who you are and what you are looking for in the club. Then, you start participating in outings. You join foursomes and play as often as time permits. If you are looking to use your golf club membership as a business tool then you'll eventually find a group of like minded members and you'll start talking business while on the course. You'll be honest and forthcoming or else you will either lose your foursome or even possibly your membership. Conclusion: Does this sound familiar? Well, it should and the very same concepts apply to joining an online social network "club". Whether you are currently a member of one or more social networks or planning on joining, be sure to think of the five basic steps before jumping in with both feet.
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