Adding Social Marketing To Your Online Portfolio
To listen to the buzz of social marketing experts, and those who sell these services, the boom in social marketing is something your business can't live without. While we agree any networking and brand awareness is good, we are in the business of return on investment, and social network marketing is a channel still in development. Solution Web Designs provides a social marketing service, but we might consider it one of the last services you might hire an outside firm to provide for you, unless you have a research and development budget.
1. Social Networking Stats
2. But Does It Make Money?
A best guess estimate says about 65 million people in the US participate in social marketing. 47 million are under the age of 29.
While social marketing can increase brand awareness and drive clicks, a recent survey of large companies says only 7% are getting a ROI.
Match Your Products or Service to a Niche Social Network
Sure everyone knows Facebook and Twitter, but are they the right social networks for you? Finding the right social network is the best starting point to kick off a campaign. Here is an "outside the box" short list of some potential social marketing networks that may provide an effective target audience for your campaign. Did any jump out at you?
- CafeMom. A social networking site for mothers to connect and share thoughts.
- DailyStrength. For topics on Health issues and overcoming medical obstacles.
- ChickAdvisor. A community of women with categories including shopping, deals, food and drink, wellness, and more.
- Minti. A baby and parenting site.
- MomJunction. Mothers seeking answers to questions.
- MothersClick. Parenting advice.
- Eons. A senior social network for Baby Boomers generally over the age of 50.
- Reunion.com. Find old friends, former classmates, and family members.
- BottleTalk. For wine enthusiasts.
- coRank. Have your products rated.
- ActionProfiles.com. Review products, classified, and more.
- Flixster. For people into movies and reviews.
- AgentB. Post discounts and coupons on products.
- Meet The Boss. An executive TV channel with a blog.
- Rummble. Social network for places of interest in your neighborhood.
- CommonGate. Start your own social network.
The Social Network Process
We've helped you find a niche network, and there are many more to choose from than just those listed above, but opening an account and making a post is not social networking. To become relevant, you have to participate on a regular basis. Networks vary, but three to five times a week is a safe minimum. Depending on your products or services, posts can include anything new, reviews, and comments on other posts. The more you post, the more likely you are to get noticed, and increase your impressions.
We recommend the practice of caution when posting. Other users can post negative comments about your products or services if they have had a bad customer experience. While no business wants to see negative posts, you also want to be very careful about defending yourself, especially if it can be interpreted as arguing. Dirty laundry still gets around faster than positive news.
Solution Web Designs can help you create, implement, shoot, edit and convert video for your website and/or YouTube and your social marketing efforts.
In Summary
Solution Web Designs can help you find and start a conservative social network campaign as part of your online marketing portfolio. Our creative team loves the idea of posting and responding to posts. Our marketing team is more concerned with the return on investment, which can be limited as this marketing channel evolves. Finding highly targeted social networks related to your business gives you the best chance of success.
Video Marketing Services
This is Cini Bigelow of Bigelow Tea with a video on YouTube called: A Perfect Cup of Tea. Obviously, her intent to sell tea, but this video only speaks to brewing a perfect cup. Cindi is not a professional actress, but she is engaging, knowledgable, and seems to have a sincere passion for her products. I invite you to watch the video, which is about five minutes long, and see if you agree. Cindi has done an excellent job in creating a value added service for her customers and all potential customers.
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Solution Web Designs
Online Marketing Success by Design
Social Networking Management
516-292-0122
