Internet Marketing Tools: Social Media

Growing your Business' Internet Presence with Networks

Social Media Optimization (SMO) can benefit your company by connecting it to potentially millions of people on the Web, by creating an ever-growing interest, by aiding in gathering customer feedback and a way to make the customer feel they are interacting with the company or the product. It is one of the services a Web Developer, Consultant or Manager can provide.

Using the information outlets of social media, organizations can feed information across the Internet and inform present and potential clients of recent developments. In other words, these tools combine to act like your own news outlet, advertising medium, marketing research tool and Internet buzz perpetuator.

The benefits gained from the correct usage of social media networks are staggering, but also require almost constant maintenance. A Web Developer with expertise in this area can help to provide the oversight necessary to such a marketing campaign.

The Many Useful Tools of Social Media

Linkedin, Plaxo and Online Contact Management

More that just a giant Rolodex! Through these types of service, you can keep track of people as they move between companies, locate new contacts within an industry, and can showcase career opportunities you have to offer.

Facebook for Business

This tool allows users to connect to your company's page by clicking a link stating they “like” your business. If just one person “likes” your page, it will appear on his or her account, viewable to the hundreds of friends connected to this person. Your Internet exposure is maximized quickly, growing exponentially with each connection.

Blogging

A blog can allow customers to have fun interacting with your business, making them feel a part of a community. While blogs are easy to post, you need to consider that it must be monitored for content, and that they need regular updates to keep them fresh and timely. Popular blog hosting sites include WordPress and Blogspot.

Twitter

Think micro-blog. A Tweet is a message of no more than 140 characters. Because mobility and speed create the excitement, Twitter allows you to Tweet on the go, updating your messages via IM, mobile phone text, smart phone (Blackberry, iPhone or Droid, for examples) applications, laptop or various other third party applications. You can make connections on Twitter following a model similar to Facebook. On Twitter, users connect to each other in what is called “following.” In addition to constant updates, you can Tweet links to your content on other sites or outside content that would be of interest to your client base.

YouTube

Do you have a professional video that you use in your marketing materials? Don't overlook the popularity of YouTube. If you took the time and expense to create a marketing video, consider adding it to the millions of videos posted there.