“Go where your customers are”. This has long been a key guiding idea by Boston Marketing Specialists for any industry. Today, customers happen to be online.
It is safe to assume that any business owner is wondering how to improve their sales through social media given all the buzz around how effective it is. Here are a few key ways to start using the web:
1. “Social bookmark” some of your more important web pages for Online Lead Generation. You’ll spread word of your company/product and begin sharing pertinent information with interested consumers without pushing messages at them.
2. Blogs aren’t appropriate for every company, but if your goal is creating a personal relationship with customers, providing timely and honest information, welcoming the “transparency” of the Web, then start one. Sure, it’s a platform for promoting your product. But more importantly, you’ll receive direct feedback from your audiences and deal with problems immediately. You’ll build a bond between your company and customers as they begin to see your company as actual people they can connect with. In addition, blogs do a lot for search engine optimization — it’s easier to find a company through a search engine if there’s more relevant information circulating.
3. Podcasts and video broadcasts give a voice or face to a company, and are extremely important for a company building brand personality. We are all more likely to buy something from someone we trust. Give your company a personal representative, a human behind the company who they can believe in. Live videos of conferences, events, or timely updates on sites like uStream.tv and Mogulus are key ways to interact and inform.
4. Build a community around a certain interest related to your company or offerings. If customers feel you have their interests in mind, they’ll welcome your messages and look more favorably upon your brand—consumers find Inbound Marketing much less abrasive than forced advertising. Create a place where people can talk to you and others about an issue related to what you offer. Check out NING as a platform to start a network.
5. OR join in established online communities. If you’re in their backyard where they have control, consumers will feel less threatened, less like you’ve targeted them, and likely more open to your conversation.
6) Try out some voting sites like Digg.com. No, DON’T vote on your own things to make them seem more popular. In fact, you don’t have to post much yourself at all (though that is another way to spread useful info). Instead (or in addition to) inform your customers of the things your company cares about, is interested in, is getting involved in, and things you think would be useful to people interested in your brand. People will appreciate understanding more about the company initiatives beyond the products.
7) When inbound links to your web site or blog come from other blogs, build a relationship with the blogger. Crucial to spreading a positive image is connecting with the bloggers interested in your work. Comment back, give useful information without being pushy, and go from there.
Exchange exchange exchange. We were all taught in pre-school how to share so you already know how. Ask bloggers for their opinions on your social media campaign work, and give them something in return. It’s all about sharing on the web.
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