Using Social Networking to build a business has become a "must-do" regardless of your business model.
Whether you have an online or offline business, your customers are turning to the Internet to find you and to learn more about your business.
However, because this style of marketing is different from traditional marketing, many business owners go about it all wrong.
The newer generation of entrepreneurs have accepted this genre of marketing, while the life-long entrepreneurs are finding themselves a bit resistant to include social networking into their marketing plans.
The best way to get the most out of social networking is to master the M.
I.
N.
G.
L.
E.
Approach.
M - Be meaningful or authentic when posting on a social networking site.
Because the you are not face-to-face with the reader of your post, make sure that you are sincere.
I - Be informative.
Talk about the benefits of your product or service without being too much of a salesperson.
By allowing the reader to understand what your product is, what it does, and how it can benefit them, you will position yourself as an expert and they will more than likely buy from.
N - Play nice.
Everything you post on a social networking site remains a permanent record.
Keep in mind "if you can't say something nice, don't say it at all.
" Just because you're sitting behind a computer monitor versus right in front of the person does not give you the right to post hurtful things.
Just play nice in the virtual sandbox! G - Go the extra mile by answering questions, lending support, and helping out your fellow social networker.
By giving of yourself, you are outshining your competition.
Social networking is a relationship building tool and when you are able to build and strengthen relationships you are then able to turn a prospect into a customer.
L - Leverage yourself as an authority.
Talk about your success in a non-intrusive manner.
Discuss the joys you've had in your business.
When you do, you are essentially encouraging others to do better in their business.
Additionally, you are strengthening your power as an expert in your field.
E - Engage your audience.
Talk about other topics that are important to you besides your business.
Share about your family, your hobbies, your favorite movies, etc.
By engaging your audience, you get to know them better and they get to know you better.
And when they know you better, you are in a better position to sell them your products or services.
Keep in mind one important thing, while it is easy to get caught up in the here and now, you must have a social networking marketing strategy.
When you have a strategy, you are less likely to say something that will haunt you later and you will be making the most of your time by spotlighting you and your business in an admirable way.