Unless you are a brand new internet user, you have certainly heard that Twitter and Facebook are two of the most popular social networking sites on the World Wide Web.
Their influence is one of the most powerful tools you have in your internet marketing arsenal. More and more, they are being used by entrepreneurs, small businesses, and major corporations across the globe as a means of social marketing.
But do you understand exactly how this concept works? Let’s take a look at each of these huge social sites and some of the ways you can use them to attract new customers and create a buzz about your business.
The Power Of Facebook
Surging well beyond the initial popularity of MySpace but created on the same type of platform is Facebook. One reason it quickly surpassed MySpace as the favourite site for millions is that it allowed the user to connect and reconnect with friends, family members, former classmates, and work colleagues while sharing information.
Using Facebook as a social marketing tool can be accomplished in many ways. For a business, create a Facebook fan page. This allows numerous users with a common interest to connect and share. It works best if you post consistently and help keep topics of conversation flowing between members.
Here is a short list of some of the things you can do to generate sales through Facebook:
• Offer special discounts or coupon codes to members of the fan page.
• Link to press releases and articles.
• Send a message to all members inviting them to a discussion or chat you moderate.
• Advertise your group with paid Facebook advertising.
• Add events and encourage members to attend – these can be virtual or live, in-person events.
• Add video content and photos so the fan page functions much the same as a website.
People who follow you will get updates in their activity feed and this could be very beneficial if you use the tool regularly.
The Power Of Twitter
There are fewer capabilities on Twitter, but that doesn’t make the site any less powerful when it comes to social marketing.
Of course, the main message is your tweets and the usual purpose of the tweets is to drive traffic to your website or start a trending topic, or both. Include a link to content and use TinyURL or Bit.ly url to ensure it fits within the 140 Twitter character limit. Add a hash tag to any topic you want to trend – such as a particular product your company offers, so that other users, whether or not they are followers, can see what is being discussed.
Twitter direct messages are a great way to personally contact your followers. There are many programs available that automate the process of sending a direct message to each new follower. You can also use the Twitter advanced search feature to find targeted tweeters to follow.
When using either Facebook or Twitter, remember that your goal is to drive traffic through interesting and informative content.
The best feature of any social networking site is the way it is used for discussion and referrals. With so many people utilising mobile devices, it is not uncommon to see posts asking friends or followers for the best Italian restaurant in a particular city, or where to find good business advice. Use these questions to your social media marketing advantage. Post responses to these types of questions and steer users to your website. As your reputation grows, so will your sales.
About Sean Rasmussen
Thanks for this article on Facebook and Twitter. I hope you give us more on these social networking sites. I seem to have been raised in an environment where social networking was not a priority, whereas, for my children, it was the opposite. So I notice all three take to Facebook and Twitter like ducks to water. But it is still a bit like holidaying in a foreign country for me, having to adjust to different language and customs. Facebook and Twitter still feel foreign to me and I look forward to the time when I totally get it. So every post you can provide on this subject is helpful in assisting me to adjust to this different way of thinking.
I will keep some more articles on Facebook and Twitter in mind for the future Wal. In the meantime, there are other articles on this site relating to both and also some webinars that you will find in the forum
Thank you for the insightful overview of Twitter and Facebook. Strategic planning on the utilization of both of these social media outlets allow for the continual growth of website traffic. Your insights provide many ways one can accomplish this paramount goal.
“Steering” is a concept I use in social media to provide greater “product service value” in activities on both of these social outlets. Thanks again for your excellent article.
You’re most welcome Rob, sounds like you have a good grip on how to best use Facebook and Twitter to your benefit. Well done.
Great information on the strength of facebook and Twitter. If used well they all compliment the website/blog information you want to put out there. It can be quit exhausting to network everywhere on a regular basis
I totally agree here, it can be quite exhausting trying to keep up with all the social networking sites. I have just downloaded a browser that helps with that called “Flock” that you might like to try, it allows you to log in to all your SM sites at once and keeps you updated via the sidebar window.
Hi Sean,
My arch nemesis that is social media. I can totally relate to how Wal feels because it feels the same way for me. I understand the how-to and the benefits of being social on the various social networking sites.
I just seem to struggle to create conversations and interact with other people. I live for the day it comes together and I actually socialise on social media sites rather than just go through the motions of ‘liking’ and ‘retweeting’.
Anything that is new can sometimes be a little intimidating and hard to become involved in Jazz. My advice would be… if you see someone post something that interests you, and you feel like you have something to reply with, or you simply want to add to the conversation, go ahead and post a reply. This is a great way to build friendships and get the ball rolling with the “social” side of social networking. Take your time with it, there is no rush and it’s something that probably won’t happen overnight.
Hi Jazz,
Yes I quite often feel the same way. I suppose it is a confidence issue (with me anyway) to understand that someone may be interested in what I am saying and to actually take the time to read it – business wise. I think once we feel confident about our product and sites we will converse more readily, hopefully.
I just set up a fan page a few days ago for my online website. I will say it’s a bit slow going at the moment but that’s also because I’ve only shared it with my friends. However, based on that people have still gone to my website because of it and i have received more traffic as a result.
The same goes for Twitter. I’ve done about one post about my website and received 8 clicks to my website and I only had about 2 followers at the time. Just imagine how many clicks you can get to your website if you have a huge following on Twitter! Can you say FREE TRAFFIC?
I think you can see the potential Landon, good work
Using facebook and twitter has allowed me to reconnect with people I went to school with and haven’t heard from since. Its an amazing tool which I don’t use enough for my business. I have created a fanpage but feel its not good enough yet to promote.
Hi Sean,
Facebook is a great service & has an amazing amount of options to use for internet marketing.
Twitter is something I am excited to learn how to use properly & will be well on my way with the awesome Twitter guide you have provided within your competition.
Hi Sean
Facebook and Twitter are an amazing social and self promotional force in the world. It can seem so daunting to think of and yet as soon as I read this ” the goal is to drive traffic through interesting and informative content” it just simplified everything down for me.
For me that is all I really need to know about the content I will be submitting. I guess people want to learn something new, in as many ways as you want to present it. It could be funny, emotive, factual, spell binding or whatever you want as long as it offers up something of value. Do I understand this correctly?
You sure do Elly, if you can provide content that helps/teaches/humours people etc, you will be on the right track