This is the last post in this lesson on Introduction to Social Media.  In the first post, Social Media for Business, we learned how personalities determine what type of networker your customers and clients are.

In the second post, Understanding Flow Patterns, we analyzed the flow patterns in social media interaction, including the social media metrics you should keep your eyes on.

In the third post, Social Media Procrastination, we took a look at the common causes of procrastination in regards to social media.

We left off last week discussing the Two Deadly Hidden Social Media Pitfalls.

Target Customer or Client

It’s only now that we are finally ready to arrive at the place where most social media guides start — asking yourself: “Where does my ideal target customer/client hang out?”

Take everything we’ve learned about personality types and put it into practice on the social networks you frequent, and you will have a much more accurate answer than if you relied strictly on keyword targeting alone.

Building Relationships

Social media is not where you will close most of your sales — it’s where you will build trust, connect and become known as an expert in your field.

Do you know where your ideal customer or client hang out?  Where do you like to virtually go to do your social networking?

We will begin our second lesson on Facebook for Business in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned . . .

If you haven’t registered yet for our upcoming fr^ee webinar, Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 2:00 pm MST, you can register by going here. We will cover each of above-mentioned posts more in-depth, as well as have a Q&A session. Hurry seating is limited!

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Last week we wrapped up a series on Internet marketing for start-ups. We explained that social media marketing is an Internet marketing strategy. This week we will discuss how to use social media marketing to build relationships.

Building Relationships

According to an article, “How to Build Better Business Relationships” on the website Inc.com, relationships are the fuel that feeds the success of your business. “Without strong relationships, it is impossible to have success as a business owner,” says the founder and CEO of Denisoff Consulting Group Michael Denisoff. Go here to read the entire article, “How to Build Better Business Relationships.”

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing is simply using social networks to convince your target audience that your products and/or services are valuable. Although you want to sell your products and/or services, you can’t be blatant about it. It is a “soft sell” while building relationships.

The major three social networks are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. After you have identified your target audience and determined what their needs are, as well as how your products or services can fulfill that need, then find out which social networks your target audience hangs out at. From there you can start building relationships with your prospective clients.

Following are some statistics to help you learn where your target audience does their social networking.

Age

According to an article, “A Portrait of Who Uses Social Networks in The US,” written on June 16, 2011 by Gregg Finn over at Search Engine Land, the average age user of Facebook is 38 years old, LinkedIn is 40 years old, and the average age user of Twitter is 33 years old.

Gender

The same article states that 43% of Facebook total users are men and 58% are women. LinkedIn is the only network with more men users than women. Sixty-three percent of Linked users are men and 37% are women. On Twitter 64% of the total users are women and 36% are men.

Race & Ethnicity

The article also cites the White race as being the vast majority users of social networks in the US. On Facebook, there are 78% White users, 9% Black, 9% Hispanics, and 12% Other Race. Over at LinkedIn, there are 85% White, 2% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 13% Other Race users. Twitter has 71% White users, 9% Black, 12% Hispanic, and 21% Other Race.

Overall, 92% of social networking users are on Facebook, 18% uses LinkedIn, and 13% social networkers use Twitter. More importantly, based on whom you are targeting, the above-mentioned statistics will help you determine which network(s) you will exert your energy and time based on age, gender and/or ethnicity.

In order to build relationships with your potential clients at the various social networks, get involved with their discussions, reply to their comments, offer pertinent information that will provide solutions. This is not really something you can outsource. Only you can be you. However, virtual assistants can help you set up your profiles and company pages.

Which social network sites have you been able to successfully build relationships? Leave us a comment below.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Now that you have your start-up business up and running, it’s time to let your target audience know that your products and/or services are available. They will not be aware of your existence, unless you tell them.

Whether you have a brick and mortar or an online business or both, one of the best strategies for spreading the word about your new products and/or services is through Internet marketing. We will cover some of the more popular Internet marketing methods and strategies in this post.

Website

It’s vital to have a website. This is your online business card. Having a website makes you and your business look credible. Not many people will do business with a company or entrepreneur if they don’t have a website.

Blog

Next you need to have a blog. You can use your blog to share your knowledge with your target audience, while at the same time become known as the expert in your field. This will drive traffic to your website, possibly converting your site visitors into clients.

Social Media

Then you need to get involved in social media marketing. This will also drive traffic to your website. The more popular social networks are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Facebook

On Facebook there are two different accounts you want to create. One is called Profile and the other is known as Page. Your profile account is for socializing with your family, friends, and colleagues. It also allows your potential clients to see the human side of you. Your Page is strictly for showcasing your business.

Twitter

Twitter is a real-time information network that enables you to follow conversation and topics you are interested in, as well as the latest information.  Connect with your target audience and drive traffic to your website. You can socialize on Twitter, while at the same time become recognized as an expert in your industry.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is for professionals only. Sharing personal, non-business type of information is not acceptable on LinkedIn. LinkedIn also has groups geared toward your interest.  Just do a search using search terms of your interest on the LinkedIn group drop-down menu to locate the groups you want to join. The groups are similar to forums where you can share information as well as gain knowledge to help you operate your business.

Come back next week when we continue our discussion on Internet marketing for start-ups.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services

Internet Marketing for Start-Ups – Part II

An interesting discussion was started on Twitter as to what is niche.  I have seen niche used to refer to a group of consumers with shared characteristics.  I have also seen niche described as a specialized service(s); for example, internet marketing.

Ten years ago, when I was in college, niche was described as a space in the market where the advertiser’s product or service will fit.  Merriam-Webster online dictionary definition is a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted.  Although marketing and advertising concepts and theories remain the same, the methods of delivery of advertising messages have changed.

These changes apparently have changed or gave new meaning to the word “niche” where now it can refer to a specialized service.  Join the discussion by posting your comment below as to what is niche to you.  I look forward to reading your thoughts.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services
 

As an entrepreneur and/or small business owner, one of the decisions you make when starting your business is which portion of the market is going to be your niche. In order to choose your niche ask yourself, “where in the market will my products or services fit?” Has a new market been created, because of changes in technology or society, which has a potential demand that is not being met? Once you have answered these questions, you have chosen your niche.

In your niche, you will find people with shared characteristics (market segment). The factors (characteristics) that determine market segments are geographic, demographic, behavioral, and psychographic (attitudinal). Your advertising message and marketing strategy will be based on these factors.

It’s ironic how people are more alike than different. The aforementioned factors will affect how a group of people will behave. We tend to be creatures of habit, which causes us to be “sitting ducks” for advertisers and marketers. We leave clues, based on our needs, wants, and mental files, that tell where we live, how we shop, what we buy, and how we spend our leisure time. The same holds true for the market segment you choose to target with your products and/or services. They will have similar needs or wants and behave in similar ways.

In the market place, there is an area or subset where your products and/or services will fit (niche). In the market place, there is a group of clients who can use your products/or services (market segment). As an entrepreneur and/or small business owner with limited advertising and marketing budget, it is important to choose a niche, as well as a segment, in the market.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services
 

I came across an interesting blog, which contains 10 marketing tips for entrepreneurs. The author points out how market segments are shifting and desiring the same things out of life, especially more time for themselves. Nowadays, different socio-economic segments have access to products and services that were in the past only for the affluent market. This fact affects our marketing strategies. One example of this shift is cell phones. When cell phones were introduced to the market, the non-affluent market could not afford to purchase them. Now everyone has a cell phone, including adolescents and teenagers. Here is an excerpt from the blog:

“As an entrepreneur, what can you learn from the luxury travel industry? Actually, quite a lot! By examining the trends that are taking place in the luxury travel market you can see ideas and business segments that are emerging amongst some of the world’s most affluent shoppers.

Why? These trends, which may start out in the luxury market have a habit over time of making their way into other demographic markets as well. Like luxury travelers, other consumers realize that not only is time money, but money is time. And we’re willing to spend our money on time.

Let’s take a look at some of the trends and see how you, as an entrepreneur, can use them to help grow your business.”

Please visit http://homebizblogger.com/2008/03/12/entrepreneurs-what-every-business-can-learn-from-the-luxury-travel-industry/ to read the entire post.

RJ’s Internet Marketing Services
 

I came across this article, “Local Business Search 2.0” written by Marshall Tallman, which has websites listed for those of us who are targeting local businesses. Here is an excerpt from the article containing the websites information.

“1. Craigslist – The general public has fallen in love with this free classifieds website. Craigslist provides a great medium for buying, selling, finding jobs, and even finding dates in a local geographic communities. Craigslist receives millions of visits every day and provides its service free of charge, other than posts for employer job openings. A section on Cragslist is dedicated to ‘Services’ and many small and home based businesses use this to promote their business. Users are allowed to post information promoting their business once every 48 hours, although many businesses find ways to repost within this timeframe. The postings will stay online for up to 7 days, but they get the most attention when they are at the top of the list or right after they are posted. The main benefit of Craigslist is how quickly people can reach a number of interested consumers in their area. Some shortcomings of Craigslist are that business listings expire, and to reach customers businesses must re-list several times a day to generate more sales leads. Also, there is no quality assurance with Craigslist. There is no easy way to check the legitimacy or quality of the businesses that are listed on Craigslist.

2. MoreWorld – MoreWorld takes great web 2.0 technology and delivers it to small businesses, home based businesses, and their customers in an attractive and easy to use package. Businesses enjoy free registration and highly customizable company accounts. This includes a free business website, a complete menu of products and services and free inclusion in MoreWorld’s local search. Businesses may even use MoreWorld to manage a list of their customers and employees and send out group emails. MoreWorld also provides a comprehensive local search for companies, products and services. Users can also browse companies by category. Search results provide pricing details and customer feedback information. The most exciting part is that when a user views more details on a company, they get far more information than is available in traditional yellow pages. They get a detailed description of the company by the company, including a detailed description of the company’s products, services and prices. The greatest drawback to MoreWorld is that they only have information on company’s who have registered with the site.

3. Yelp – Yelp has found success by integrating social networking with a site designed for rating local businesses. Yelp provides a fun, easy and addictive platform for users to create and submit reviews on many types of local businesses. Further, all of the services available on Yelp are free, other than the sponsored search results for businesses. Users interested in finding a product or service may search or browse listings by distance and star rating as well as several other search areas. The website also provides a forum for users to discuss local businesses, events and other things in their area. All of the information on this site is managed and updated by Yelp users. All reviews and information change requests require the approval of a moderator to avoid biased reviews and misinformation. Yelp provides a great way to find detailed reviews on local businesses. The main drawbacks on yelp are the reliability of reviews and the lack of any business side interface. Also check out InsiderPages for another great site based on user reviews.

4. ServiceMagic – ServiceMagic delivers an interesting new approach to the local business front. ServiceMagic provides an attractive and easy to use platform that helps connect consumers to the contractor for their job. Service magic has a simple project description form for people to complete. Once the form is submitted, ServiceMagic matches them with a handful of qualified contractors, and the communications begin. Users may read ratings on different service providers as well as a detailed description provided by the company on themselves. Users seem very happy with the amount of time ServiceMagic saves them in finding the right business for their job. While ServiceMagic is great for finding a contractor it is limited to the types of businesses it can help you find. Another problem is that businesses must pay to be on service magic, so the best business for a job may not be available to the user because that company is not interested in paying. The final drawback is that there is no search feature for users, causing people to be limited to viewing only the companies that ServiceMagic allows.

5. Angie’s List – Angie’s List is another site that aggregates consumer reviews of local businesses, much like Yelp. Angie’s List separates itself from other similar sites in that they charge for membership. This includes charging both to see and write reviews. Angie’s List prides itself on their level of user participation and the credibility of their information. A major benefit to Angie’s list is that companies can’t pay to be on the list, they must be reviewed by a member in order to be listed. Major drawbacks to Angie’s list are that it is not free and that there is no interface for businesses.”

http://rjsinternetmarketing.com

Virtual Assistants (VAs) who are business owners do more than just type. We are also entrepreneurs, in addition to being small business owners. Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA) defines VAs as “A Virtual Assistant (substitute VA or Virtual Associate) works independently at an arm’s length, via the Internet, utilizing the latest technologies, to provide immediate professional support, services and skills to busy entrepreneurs and business managers.” International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA) definition is “A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis.”

As small business owners, we face the same issues and concerns as our clients. VAs are dedicated to helping their clients grow their businesses, while at the same time expanding his/her own company. It is a win-win situation. In addition to providing services, we are faced with the daily operations of a small business. These operations include everything from bookkeeping to marketing. In fact, VAs are hiring their own virtual assistants to help with the administrative tasks. We understand our clients’ business needs, because we are them. We do more than just type.

http://rjsinternetmarketing.com

When creating an advertising message, it is important that you know who you are talking to. Do you know who your target audience is? If you don’t know, you are not maximizing your advertising and/or marketing efforts.

A member of the target audience influences the purchasing decision and/or the person who makes the purchase. The person who makes the purchase is also a member of the target market. For example, when McDonald’s creates an advertising message, it is directed at their target audience, as well as their target market. Children are the target audience and their parents are the target market. Therefore, McDonald’s strategy is to target both groups.

Do you know who you are talking to?

http://rjsinternetmarketing.com