Earning New Customers from LinkedIn and Other Social Sites
Read More: I own a local business - Why do I Care about Online Social Media?
www.MarketingTraditionalBusinesses.com
Many people mention that Social Networking is a waste of time and will not bring customers to a local business. This cannot be further from the truth. It is true that without a strategy time can be wasted, and huge efforts can go unrewarded. Having an Online Strategy for all your Social Networking is where the key to the gold lays.
Social Media Strategy
It is important to come up with a plan that can be used on a regular basis and that will yield the results that are needed. Some small businesses are happy with 100-500 visitors each month and others need thousands of visitors to make their efforts show in the bottom line. Many service industries do not want more business than can be handled so creating a workable and sustainable strategy in the onset is quite important. There are no cookie cutter answers - but there are some generalities that can be used for most small businesses.
Online Strategies
Social media should be a part of an entire online strategy. There are many different marketing ideas and methods that can be packaged into a workable strategy. Some of them are:
- Blog
- Pay-Per-Click Advertising (AdWords)
- Social Media
- Forums
- Commenting
- Other Peoples Blogs / Community Blogs
- Article Marketing
- Online Directories
- Link Sharing
Social Media plays a large role in online marketing because when used properly it creates a huge web of back links to your website. It also creates a large following of potential customers that like you and what you do professionally. They become a rather large source of referrals that will start to fill your sales pipeline. Do not think that social networking will give instant results - it is a process that grows over time.
- Here are a few ideas of how to use Social Media Sites in Traditional / Service Businesses.
- Post the Special of the Day
- Create a Special for Online Customers that walk into your store
- Offer Electronic Coupons
- Make Announcements that affect customers
- Create Customer Appreciation
- Customer Service
The ideas are limited only by your imagination. If you need help to learn how to use Social Media effectively then consider joining Renegade Pro - a step-by-step video training system for business owners that have the desire to learn social media and need guidance. To learn about cutting edge ideas to grow your business tune into
What is the Buzz about?
There are thousands of Social Media sites - blogs, video sites, FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter - hundreds of sites where people can interact with each other. Some of these sites are business related and some are not. Many niche businesses have their own Social Media sites. If you are a traditional business owner then there are four different social media sites that are a must for you to join. Here they are in order:
- BizNik
- Any site that is specialized in your personal niche
LinkedIn is the first social media site to join. This is a site for professionals that are looking to grow in many different aspects. It can act as an online business card, resume, and portfolio. LinkedIn offers the business owner a way to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack - creating trust that is hard to earn online.
Twitter offers ways to meet potential clients, potential power partners, potential joint venture partners, and your local customer base. It can communicate and broadcast what your business is doing in your local community, distribute electronic coupons, facilitate customer service, and many more important business related tasks. This is the ultimate in free marketing.
FaceBook provides a platform to interact with your customers and target market. They offer FaceBook Pages specifically for businesses. This is a great place to look for potential clients, post specials for your online clients, and to share about your business. Does your business participate in the community? Sharing these types of community connections can be a great Public Relations move for your business and FaceBook is one of the best places to get that information out.
BizNik
BizNik is a website just for businesses. This is a place to post business related articles, look for potential employees, look for power partners, and offer paid workshops or classes. This is a growing community of business owners that has a great deal of marketing and promotional ideas that are freely shared to help the community as a whole. Marketing Traditional Businesses website is designed to guide and help business owners that want to gain customers from Internet Marketing. It is also here to get your questions answered and to help you to decide if your business needs more in-depth coaching in the area of Internet marketing. If you need personalized help then consider Renegade University - this is where people like yourself come to learn how to effectively market their business online - at your pace and convenience.
About the Author Dotty
Dotty owns a web design firm in Vancouver, WA. She builds better websites for small businesses and teaches business owners how to effectively market the new website using Social Media and other online marketing techniques. She can be found on the Web at AttractionInternetMarketing.com and her Renegade Coach website is RenegadeUCoach.com
Views: 1,729
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Comments: 37 
About the Author: Dotty Scott
Member Since: 11/21/2008
Company: Premium Websites
Industry: Web Design
Primary Web Site: http://PremiumWebsites.net
Dotty Scott, You are an Outstanding Business Teacher
This is terrific Dotty! especially for traditional business owners who generate income from their local community.
I have seen many of your tutorials for Renegade Professional, and they are outstanding. Especially your webinar on Twitter for traditional business - that was something every local business owner should watch.
Many of the tips you offer here are relevant for a business owner of any niche.
Thanks,
Eric Walker
Dotty, you said it well...
Dotty, you said it well...why traditional business/service business owners should care about Social Media (and gaining customers).
I agree with Eric, your tutorials are very helpful, simple to understand, clear concepts, and practical. I especially like the Facebook tutorials in Renegade Professional you have done.
Thanks for your information,
Kathy
Good Info
Hey Dotty,
Absolutely great article. The only thing I can think that would make it better would have been to add links to the social media sites in each corresponding paragraph.
Thanks for a very helpful article.
Dave
The Art Of Being Social Online
Great information Dotty,if you don't have social media marketing in your business mix your doing yourself a mis-favor. This is something that all businesses can benefit from whether online or off. The key is targeting your market with specific networks that are related to your business interests.
Social Media is a new way to exposure for your local business
I remember the days when you looked in the big yellow pages to find a business. When is the last time you saw a big yellow page book? We look online for these businesses so Social Media is definitely an extension of that. If you don't change with the times, then you go the way of the big yellow page books. What are the lawyers going to do?
Social Media works for Traditional Businesses
Dotty,
Great job putting social media into perspective as a social marketing piece of a complete plan for traditional businesses. You understand the thought process of so many business owners today, especially the ones that are still offline simply because they have always been successful offline.
Shirland makes a great point - picture the yellow pages, nearly everyone knows what they are, and now try to picture the last time you have actually seen one ... or used one!
Times have changed and it's time for traditional businesses to embrace the new tools.
Getting our feet wet with a pro at the helm
Too often traditional businesses going online start with social media and hack it to death by not doing the right things that will give them positive exposure.
Now they should come and read advice from a pro to steer them in the right direction.
Business to Business
Dotty,
Great information for businesses coming online and for internet businesses wanting more. What better way of learning how to bring businesses online and ideas of helping them grow. What used to work offline is going to become or nearly is a thing of the past.
You are very concise and informative.. thank you
What a Plan!
Dotty,
I don't have a traditional business, but if I did I understand clearly how to make it successful thru online marketing because of you. Obviously, there are no limitations.
There's a huge amount of information here for the business owner!
Thank you!
Becky
No limits
Dotty, Your input is envaluable. I always learn from you. What I really enjoy is your energy and get to it-ness. No limits on your imagination, none at all!
Great Overview Dotty
Dotty,
Your article is a wonderful synopsis for those just getting their feet wet with social media marketing. As primarily an internet network marketer, social media marketing is my main lead generating funnel. You hit the nail on the head when you talk about it being a process. It takes time, energy and a desire to see it all come together in this way. I truly find that it is worth it.
For those just getting started, by all means continue using your other marketing methods as well. Just add social networking to your mix and work a bit on it every day. Twitter has been great for me, though Facebook is now edging into the lead.
Best of luck... and make it enjoyable as well as profitable.
Peace and Abundance,
Deborah Tutnauer
For Traditional Businesses
Hi Dotty,
Thank you so much for pointing out how great social media can be for traditional businesses. I came online to learn how to market a non-traditional business and ended up learning not only how to do that but, from people like you, how to use the same knowledge for my traditional business.
Thanks for spending so much time telling us about each, individual social media site. It's helpful to learn about some of the different benefits of each.
I'll head back and re-visit a couple now. Thanks again.
Michelle Moseley
Local Businesses Will Die
Dotty
Many local business oweners think if the have a website people will find them on the internet. If they followed your social media advice they would see their website on the first page of Google, and an increase in business. More and more people are shopping online, so there isn't a business that will survive that can be found easily on the interent.
Social Media Usage Survey
Hi, Dotty - great article!
I, too, am interested in social media & right now, I'm specifically interested in how people are actually using it. I've created a short survey & would love to have any of your readers who'd care to participate respond to this brief survey!
Just click the following link to answer the survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4kju1vd7bIWluiK9dmN03w_3d_3d
It's only 6 brief questions:
> 3 ask for basic demographic info (no personally identifiable info requested) and
> 3 ask for information about what sites you're using and how you use them
Thanks to all who choose to participate!
PS: This is my first attempt at using a survey, so hopefully it will work properly.
Social Networking is the New Neighborhood
Hi Dotty,
You have a wonderful knack for teaching and it really shines through in everything you do.
I'm old enough to remember the corner stores, knowing the owners and their families. I recall dropping in to say hi and seeing folks come in off the street to shop, noticing their items for sale in the window.
Well, for many of us these days are well and truly gone and the new 'neighborhood' is the internet and in particular the social networking sites. This is a big reason why traditional businesses need to recognize their new 'neighborhood' and get folks to 'drop by' and see what you have for sale. This becomes your new shop window and you want the 'walk by traffic' to stop in.
Great job of showing the importance of the social networking and social media sites to those in traditional businesses.
What's that?
I am always learning what I didn't know before. Like "Biznik". No one knows it all. I'm glad you have shared something I can learn from today. I know I'm in the right company but I'm still learning how to get the word out.
Very sound advice!
Excellent work, sometimes it is very hard for new entrepreneurs to understand that creating a viable online business ( or any business) is a process. There is no magical button to turn on and have your site flooded with thousands of potential clients.
As you have pointed out, a clear concise 'plan' is the best way to accomplish your goals.
Keep up the excellent work, it is appreciated.
@Deborah I too remember the
@Deborah
I too remember the corner stores - and you are right. Not only would people drop in to say hi but some (like my dad) would go to various business owners and hang out at lunch with his friend. He was a local plumber and had many friends in town. i think this was one of the ways he built his clients - he had many referrals since he was so liked. What a great comparison!
@steve
I am glad I could provide some new information to you. Use it well.
Biznik is Completely Anit-MLM and Network Marketing
@Dotty I personally know the CEO of Biznik and while eating lunch with both he and his wife they expressed how extremely anti-mlm they are. In fact if they found out that your profile was promoting an MLM or Network Marketing product or opportunity they would remove your account. They have a zero tolerance policy for mlm or network marketing unfortunately. :(
Thanks for the article.
The internet is a big neighborhood. Your advice for local business owners is certainly on track--and your quick strategy overview very informative.
thansk.
Thanks for the info
Hi Dotty,
Thank you for the great info. I learned something I did not know. I also learned about a BizNik, then from Tony, I learned that they don't like MLM. In that case, would you still recommend being linked there if I am in MLM?
Thanks,
Local Businesses NEED Social Sites
There was a time when "location, location, location" was all you needed to succeed in an offline business. Then ALL businesses big and small had to have a "web presence". Now, a social marketing strategy is important as well.
Social Sites are the future for businesses whether online, offline, global or Local Business. Those who grasp this concept now are making a killing and setting themselves up to be at the front of the pack for years to come.
It all comes down to being where your customers are. If your customers hang out on Facebook then you'd bloody well better hang out on Facebook too.
Thanks for the insights Dotty!
ShellyB
The-Rat-Race-Rebel
Very useful information
Hi Dotty,
Your article is right on target. The reason why there is the misconception about social media and non-internet businesses is, as you point out, a lack of a plan and strategy. Playing with Twitter on your iPhone all day is not going to create more business. Chatting with your friends on Facebook isn't going to generate more profits.
Social media is for developing relationships and connecting. It is not about sales. Tweets that say "Check out this new fat loss product. It's awesome!" are not appreciated on Twitter and is just a new way of spamming.
But with an organized, structured, strategic approach, social media can be very effective as a long term strategy for creating new business and long term business.
One way that we can help bricks and mortars businesses is to introduce them to these strategies and help them with implementation. That is a business model in itself that is helping the social media and internet savvy entrepreneur to experience growth even when other businesses are suffering.
And thanks for mentioning BizNik. I hadn't heard of it until a couple of days ago. I will check it out.
Cheers! Calvin
Not on the net?
Your article makes it very clear why online social media is necessary to succeed at any business online or offline.
In the words of Bill Gates: 'If your business is not on the internet your business will not stay in business'.
Hi Dottie very good
Hi Dottie very good article,it gives me hope for social media, it is not easy,you have to stay with it,and give valuable content.
Thank you Hollis
Social Media with Twitter
Good information Dottie. Those businesses that take advantage of the advice you provided and use social media can get ahead of others. There are restaurants in Los Angeles applying the advice you gave using Twitter to posts specials of the day to attract customers for dinner. The nice thing for businesses is that social media has very little cost.
Social Media Needs a Strategy to be Effective
Great article Dotty. You mention that you need to have a strategy for social networking and I couldn't agree more.
Some things to consider when developing your strategy are:
- Target market – Where does your target market hang out online? How do they communicate and interact online? What kind of language do they use?
- Objectives – What are your goals for social media? Will you connect with leaders, position yourself as a thought leader, generate leads, form relationships?
- Tools – What social media tools will you use to achieve your goals, eg.video, articles, blogging, comments, etc?
- Activities - How often will you participate in each social media site and how often will you undertake different activities (e.g. commit to posting 2 articles a week - if you make a specific goal you are more likely to follow through)
- Metrics – How will you measure success? Having metrics in place is so important so you can revise your strategy if you aren't achieving your desired results.
Social media can take a lot of time if you don't have a focused strategy in place. The tips you provide will help people develop an effective social media strategy.
LinkedIN
Dotty:
I joined LinkedIN, but have never really used it - will have to go take another look. Your article us very helpful in reminding me of all the great tools we have available, and at no cost! Thanks for taking the time to put it all together for us.
Social Networking for Traditional Businesses.
Dotty,
Excellent article! I feel that the power of social networking on the internet is greatly overlooked by traditional businesses.
I have viewed some of your webinars and read many of your articles. I am impressed with your knowledge and expertise in this area of marketing. Traditional business owners can greatly profit by learning from you.
Scott Hubbard
BizNik Does promote business
@Tony
I know that Biznik does not support MLM and I am not promoting an MLM business in my BizNik profile. I teach that the online advertising methods for MLM are very similar to online advertising for traditional businesses. Many of the users here have both a traditional type business as well as an mlm they are promoting.