This is the fifth of 6 Online Marketing tips from Lucy Beer. Check back each Tuesday to read them all.
Tip Number Five: Be Social. Many business owners groan at the thought of social media, another item on their already too-long to-do list. But I invite you to consider that it’s a very inexpensive way to promote your business, and you have the ability to find your precise audience. Contrary to popular belief, you DON’T have to be a total narcissist to participate effectively in social media, and in fact it’s much better if you have other people’s benefit in mind, not your own! Many entrepreneurs and business-owners have a great passion for their business and industry niche. That passion is contagious and appealing to potential customers – social media is the perfect vehicle to share it. Take the approach of providing interesting, valuable or entertaining updates that showcase your personality and company values. Look for opportunities to help others rather than overtly self-promote. Goodwill will generate great word of mouth and social proof for your business. You can also use social media to find out what people are saying about your business or industry and you can respond directly or answer questions. Increasingly, Tweets and other social updates and profile information are being archived by search engines, so it offers another opportunity for your business to gain visibility. Social media is a long-term strategy so give it a few months of consistent work before making any determinations about its effectiveness.
Lucy Beer is an online marketing professional of more than 8 years. She loves to consult with and teach small businesses and entrepreneurs how to develop their online marketing strategies. She works one-on-one with individuals, or in small groups to train your staff, whether you are a total beginner or are looking to take your web marketing to the next level. She is also a WordPress-aholic and provides WordPress training. She blogs at www.webtrainingwheels.com and you can reach her at: lucy@webtrainingwheels.com
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