Years ago, MySpace was the premiere on-line social scene; and though it still holds its reputed status among high schoolers and college freshman, MySpace is not a popular social network to build rapport and marketing strategies on.
"Following on Facebook" and "Tweeting with Twitter" are common phrases now, as both are the dominant social outposts for individuals and businesses. Many businesses don't see the value in using these networks and, in fact, see them as a waste of time and resources – essentially equating into a waste of money.
Others, however, will tell you Twitter's made them millions and rely soley on the marketing potential of this micro-blog.
Twitter and Facebook do NOT make you money, let's get that out of the way. Your marketing strategy and efforts on these networks are what make you money. Like any strategy, your efforts on Facebook and Twitter completely dictate the success of your social network campaign.
Your strategy shoud be similar to that of your blog – update often and listen, DON'T sell. Facebook and Twitter should direct people to your web site and help to establish you and our business as a credible source and to make yourself available to potential customers.
In 2009, a survey conducted for Citibank Small Business determined that 75 percent of executives in the United States say they have not found sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn beneficial for generating business leads or for business growth.
Take this stat as you will, but as I said perviously, these sites will NOT make you money. Twitter, in and of itself, will NOT generate leads. Facebook is not designed to increase your profit by 10 percent this year.
The sites give you the power and the capability to achieve success through well thought out strategies and a consistent, active effort.
So stop avoiding the inevitable… create a strategy, get on Facebook and listen to potential customers. YOU can create success through a great marketing plan on social networks.
