How The Right Social Media Marketing Plan Can Drive More Leads

Social Media and Blogging Are No Longer Optional....?

The days of having a basic static website with no way to interact with customers are over. I'm finding that even small business owners must consider the impact that social media and blogging can have on their customer bases.?Optional, IF You Want To Get Found Online

Consider these statistics:?

• Companies who spent at least 6 hours per week investing in social media outlets and utilizing applicable and powerful content, could create up to 52 percent more leads then companies who didn't.

• When a company utilizes Twitter, they can double the amount of leads they generate in a month when compared to non Twitter using companies.

• Social networks are main steam with American internet users, almost 2/3 of American's online participate in them.

Do You Really Understand Social Media?

Social media allows people to interact socially online. It basically includes several main components that all allow users to interact through the Internet:

• Talking-email/chat

• Participating

• Sharing

• Networking

• Bookmarking

• Linking

• Listening

Any Internet users will agree, that websites that allow you to go beyond just static reading and allow them to become more connected and involved with your business online are what people want.

Interactive socially minded websites may also create a greater desire for visitors to want to find out more about what your company does and even make a purchase from your business.

Why Should Businesses Have a Social Media Strategy??

There are many great reasons, I have found, for businesses to add a social media strategy to their current advertising and marketing plan:

1. Users are exposed to you through natural links in the content of websites. They are perusing the stuff, because they want to. They haven't been forced too.

2. Your potential online audience is as limitless as the Internet.

3. Social media outlets provide business websites with another source of online traffic beyond search engines. Its another way to get visitors to come directly to your business website.

4. Its very cost effective. When you consider the cost of normal marketing and advertising, effective social media is one of the most cost effective forms of business marketing on the planet.

5. A strong social media strategy fits easily into other marketing tactics you might be trying. It doesn't distract but can be made to tailor into your existing marketing plan.

Why is Blogging so?Critical?to Social Media?

The first thing that I must emphasize is that blogs are not another opportunity to make a sales pitch to website visitors. It will probably just drive them away. A good blog is used to built interest with existing customers and new customers.

It provides visitors with pertinent information regarding your business and what you do. You can use utilize your blog and social media outlets as a small tantalizing piece of pie that will tantalize customers into coming back to your website to get the entire pie.

A good blog doesn't need thousands of posts. It needs applicable, easy to read, and often updated posts. Blogs are applicable to every type of business from legal professionals to accountants and insurance companies.

Its a great way to educate your customers and let them get to know you in a more personal way.

Overwhelmed With Social Media?

I have always been a early adopter of new technology. ?I have been listening for several years about social media and the role in expanding a business network. ?But, I could never figure out how to get enough time to keep everything updated and participating in the right platform. ?

Does that describe you?

You likely have all the information and expertise to be an excellent contributor to social media, but you are likely missing the tools that can actually make the process more manageable. ?For me, blogging was the missing link that brought it all together. ?

See, when I post this blog, it will automatically update all of my social media profiles, at least those that I see the most value in pursuing.?

Which Social Media Platform Is Right For You?

It is always easy to find someone who will gladly tell you why you should do this and why you should do that. ?This is especially true with social media. ?It's not about the platform, it is about the needs of your business. ?

Is your customer using that social media network? ?Do you know?

Before you spend countless hours setting up your social media profiles or try to keep up with posting at unmanageable frequencies, develop a strategy. ?We offer a FREE website assessment that looks at your entire online marketing efforts including social media. ?

No pressure, no hype, none of that. ?Our goal is to leave you with 5-10 actionable items that you can implement on your own if you have the time. ?

Ready to review your Internet marketing strategy?

Remember, social media is a way to grow your business, and we can help you do it without the stress.

Source: http://www.power4consulting.com/jimmy-hovey-internet-marketing-blog0/bid/57893/How-The-Right-Social-Media-Marketing-Plan-Can-Drive-More-Leads

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