Build Relationships with Social Media ~ Team Pure Intent

20 years ago to engage and connect with people in the media, you would need to submit a press release or call up a newspaper to have them write a story about your business. It was a bit challenging and time consuming. Media platforms like the newspaper was the influence and the power to get the word out about your businesses products and or services.

The importance of having a blog or a website to support your social media
So we've touched on what a blog can do for your website. Remember to design your website as an educational experience. When people come to your site, whether potential customers or return ones, what can keep them there and engaging is social media. Your website is a “hub,” to host all your social media efforts as well as any external links. If you don’t have one, you’re throwing away your opportunity for business and influence.

Social media success equals sharing your business ideas and values plus people who need or value what you have to offer.

Social media is more than just media, it’s changing the way we will all do business and it’s creating an interesting marketing dynamic. You can heighten business awareness by educating your consumers with your business expertise.

Social Marketing 3-step Process

Attractive Content
Social engagement
Social Strategy

Use content to attract the attention of people to help build an audience. You need to publish the information online, where people can find it (a blog). Gain trust by being helpful, pay attention to their needs (answering questions), and give your audience a sense of who you are and how you can be of service. Because we are human, we need to experience communicating with one another face-to-face. Why do you think Skype is so popular. Your online engagement with customers does not replace how you would regularly communicate, it just magnifies the experience. For example, not every business will utilize a Twitter account however, Twitter can be used to notify followers about upcoming sales or discounts with coupon codes that those who are Twitter followers have access to.

You want me to be Vulnerable?
I get this question a lot in my online marketing business. Majority of my clients are unclear about how to incorporate social media into their business marketing plan. As a business, you can be transparent without being vulnerable. Social Media Rule 101: when using social media for your business, keep all engagement about your business and how your business can be of help to others. This is not a place to engage with personal pictures, comments, or gossip. Think “permanent.” You can leave long lasting impressions on the world-wide-web so keep your content and engagement business centered.

The skies the limit when it comes to social media. You can brand your business in so many ways like: You can have your own television station (YouTube) and publish your own digital magazine (your blog). You can host an award winning radio station via your office (podcast), or sell the finest clothing and accessories from your virtual boutique (e-commerce). However you position your social media, you’ll need to have a strategy on how to use these to get people to tune in and engage.

Engage Again and Again with Email Marketing
Email marketing isn't dead—it’s bad email marketing that’s dead. Instead we need to be more personable and relationship-minded. When you have a basic website but don’t have an email newsletter, you have a passive connection to your audience. When you only have a Twitter account, you have a very passive connection with your audience. This is because people don’t know how to get back to the “meat” of what you’re saying. Email marketing is about relevance. If you are relevant, people will open your email.

Online Marketing Mix
Take your business ideas and concepts and apply them to an online marketing mix for added business exposure and recognition.

Website
Blog
Social Media
Email Marketing

Onward and Upward!