There is more and more and more ‘buzz’, hype and talk about social media.

For most it’s a confusing, new ‘idea’ that doesn’t immediately reveal its value to your business.

I’m going to shed some light on what it is, how it can HARM you and how it may HELP you.

So what is social media.

In simple terms it’s a number of different internet applications and ‘places’ where you can connect with friends, family, clients and peers.

The common social media types are:

• Facebook (I’m sure you know about that one).
• MySpace.
• LinkedIn.
• Flurl.
• Twitter (this is an intersting one…).
• All the types of BLOG (a little like this site).

And there are hundreds more.

Their power is in their ability to allow you to very quickly become ‘friends’ with your family, friends, clients and peers and SHARE stuff.

For personal use it’s fairly obvious what they’re for.

You can keep in contact with Aunty gertrude in Australia, fin old school friends, share pictures and stories.

But what about for business?

How can you REALLY use them to generate clients and profit.

FIRST OFF - BE CAREFUL!

Using these applications means you become VISIBLE, very VISIBLE. That’s great IF you want people to see what you share.

Dangerous if you don’t.

Where social media can help you is as follows:

• Keeping in regular contact with clients. e.g. you could set up a Facebook group for your clients, invite them to join and there share stories, client testimonials, offer, new products etc.
• You CAN create a ‘viral’ presence. Again, with Facebook the idea is simple. Your clients, friends and family will most often see what you post. They may well see something of interst, join your group and in turn become a client.
• You CAN use social media to ‘MOBILISE’ huge groups of people and MOVE them and their interest to specific things. e.g. IF you had a Facebook group for business  you could run an open day and use Facebook to drive PART of the registration for that event.

BUT… These types of MEDIA (and that is ALL they are - like newspapers, magazines etc) are NOT a replacement for sound marketing systems dedicated to attracting the best, highest spending clients.

They are ANOTHER tool in your kit box.

The rules are also a bit different.

Social marketing is all about VALUE for FREE. You must ADD value to your audience.

For example you could provide an eBook to your Facebook group which details the “The 7 Reasons  to Sell Your House Now Before the Real Market Crash Occurs”.

That eBook would explain the 7 reasons why the property market crash has hardly even starte and stimulate interest for estate agents…

Get the idea?

The key with all avenues to success is to use ALL the options available to you.

Social media is becoming more and more important. Have a ‘play’ create some ‘groups’ of people and just be careful about delivering HIGH VALUE, useful content and NOT just sales messages.

And keep in mind social media is called ‘Social’ media for a reason.

It is for SOCIAL interaction. Building friends, acquaintances, relationships. DOING so WILL stand you in good stead.

Oh…And to get an idea of how these things work…

AND, join me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/henrypbaker

Have a great day,

Henry.

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