| If you're looking to increase your sales, perhaps it's | | | | If you sell organic-cotton baby clothes, you wouldn't |
| time to take a proactive approach and sign up for | | | | send tweets to natural gas suppliers. You would think |
| social networking sites. Don't be like your competition, | | | | more in terms of mommies and owners of baby |
| though, and sign up for social networking sites and | | | | boutiques. People want value, so give them what they |
| never use them again. You have to do more than | | | | want to keep them coming back for more. |
| just "be there". | | | | 4. Include your photo. People want to do business |
| Here are six social media marketing tips that will help | | | | with a face and name they trust. Include a professional |
| you outshine your competition - watch your sales | | | | photo. A photo aligns you with your business name |
| increase and increase traffic to your website. | | | | and company and is a great branding trick! |
| 1. Sign up for social networking sites. Facebook, | | | | 5. Don't over sell and over market. Remember, |
| LinkedIn and Twitter (also known as “The Big | | | | less is more. People don't want to be sold to all the |
| Three”) are the most popular. But check social | | | | time. You want to reel potential customers in with |
| networking sites in your niche market, as well. Sign up | | | | social media/networking messages. You don't want to |
| for free. The sites are easy to navigate and | | | | scare them away or offend them. Stop tweeting |
| user-friendly - even for the technically-challenged! | | | | about what you ate for breakfast. Get back to the |
| 2. Fill out profiles. If you leave your profile | | | | basics of your marketing message and don't over sell |
| information blank, you aren't doing yourself any favors | | | | your message. Stay away from "spam" messages or |
| when it comes to social media marketing. Include links | | | | you'll get blocked (not only by the sites but by other |
| to your websites and blogs. This is how you get | | | | users). You want a fan base, not an "I Hate Your |
| backlinks to your sites. Fill out your business contact | | | | Business Because You Spam Me Too Much" club. |
| information, email address, etc. You want potential | | | | 6. Keep it simple. Showcase your knowledge but |
| customers to contact you! | | | | don't "talk down" to your audience. Learn what works |
| 3. Keep them coming back for more. Offer a | | | | and what doesn't work for potential customers. |
| freebie, valuable information, the latest and greatest | | | | Remember to keep your message breezy and |
| news in your industry, contests, etc. Analyze your | | | | friendly (but with a professional edge). |
| target markets and create your message accordingly. | | | | |