Navigate Social Media for Your Business

The effect social media – particularly Facebook – can have on your business’ bottom line is undeniable. If you haven’t already joined Facebook, it is time to crawl out from under that rock, log on and get connected with current and potential customers alike!

Having a stagnant Facebook page just doesn’t cut it in today’s marketplace. You need to have relevant and fresh content daily to keep fans engaged. SIGNARAMA Downtown – a ProMoter client for over five years – has had its own Facebook profile for several years, and they are seeing a real pay off. In fact, over the past several months, SIGNARAMA Downtown has generated more solid website conversions from their Facebook page than any other method. And, SIGNARAMA Downtown’s fans are engaged and active on their Facebook page thanks to daily contests and giveaways.

You, too, can have a quality and valuable presence on Facebook. Take a look at some best practices in order to give your Facebook account a boost!
· Build a fan base. To have a successful Facebook page, you need fans! Be sure to promote your social media presence on all customer touch points including your website, advertisements, staff Facebook pages, direct mail, Internet campaigns, etc.
· Keep your page active. Nothing is worse than an inactive Facebook page. Not only does it give the impression that business is slow, but it is nearly impossible to build up a fan base. It isn’t enough to make company-related announcements every other week. You need to really offer fans valuable information that is useful to them and their businesses on a daily basis. Dig around for some industry-related news bits to post when company news is slower. Offer contests and giveaways that keep fans coming back to your page for more!
· Get your fans talking about your page. Word-of-mouth is a great way to go viral. By maintaining an active page, fans are likely to start talking up your page to their friends. The more fans you have, the more impressions you make, which could lead to more business.

There isn’t a science to Facebook or other social media sites. Consider what you’d like from a Facebook page of which you are a fan and try to provide that to your fan base.

Social Networking: The New Frontier in Making Business Connections

Whether you are ready or not, social networking has quickly emerged as the new frontier in making business connections with the number of “connections” or “friends” being just as important as the number of business cards in your rolodex.

“Through social networking sites I have facilitated introductions and cultivated relationships through mutual friends. Those new relationships generated business opportunities for me and for my contacts,” said Michael Gabhart, sales consultant for U.S. Voice & Data.

Social networking sites offer the user a variety of beneficial applications including the ability to connect with prospective employees. With personal profiles available on most social networking sites, you as the employer have the ability to examine prospective employees’ sites and weed out any that do not seem to fit your company’s mission or agenda. Social networking sites are also great vehicles for users to develop stronger relationships with prospects and customers, and often remove geographic barriers from business.

Because social networking is relatively new to those in the business world, it is important to avoid many of the unfavorable applications so be wary of which social networks you join and how you utilize those that you do. It is important that you maintain a professional profile when using a social network for business purposes. Ensure that you have a clear agenda and purpose for utilizing a social network.

• ClassMates.com began as a resource for users to connect and keep in touch with friends from kindergarten through college. The site is free, but offers more advanced applications and services to members for a minimal fee.

• LinkedIn is a professional, business networking site aimed at building connections with like-minded business people who may otherwise be out of reach. LinkedIn allows the user to post their career details within their profile. Contacts can be made with members who are potential or current clients, future employees or employers or act as liaisons or “connections” to such members. The site is free, but offers premium services to power users for a fee.

• Facebook allows individuals to connect with friends and colleagues as well as meet new people with similar interests or friends in common. Facebook is a social networking site with an immense variety of applications and a large community of active users. While this site is very popular among individuals of all ages, its business functions are limited.

• MySpace was established early on and continues to be popular among users of all ages, cultures and socio-economic status. While it has proven to be a launching pad for the careers of many successful musicians, it is also home to viruses, spam and questionable content including a large underbelly contingent.

• Second Life operates as a virtual world for computer users with more advanced skills (although with tutorials a beginner is said to be able to use this program with some ease). Individuals can create an avatar or “resident” and live within a virtual society steeped with commercialism. Opportunities are available to sell advertising space or “property” and purchase “islands” in which your company can virtually operate. In its ideal form, Second Life can be used as a means of business-to-business communications and a way for businesses to connect with their customers. However, some security concerns exist within this system including how to guarantee confidentiality.

Looking to make social networking work for you and your business? ProMoter Inc. can help. Contact us at 502.562.1969.