Social Media Is Here to Stay … Embrace It!

Like it or not, social marketing is not a fad – it is here to stay. Building a thriving business that is positioned for success requires you to not only accept this fact – but embrace social marketing and integrate it throughout your company. Here are a few ways to get started.

1. Establish tangible objectives for your website. Your website must have more than just a handsome face. It should work for you! Make your website client-friendly by (i) including a site map; (ii) incorporating an email sign-up form so people can choose to stay in touch with you; and (iii) using auto-responders to provide information about your programs, products and services.

2. Make your website interactive. Create a “media room” on your website that contains audio clips from past interviews, video footage, videos created from high-impact presentations and also press releases. Add a Twitter feed and embed your Facebook Business page widget for greater engagement.

3. Create a blog and attach it to your website. Your blog is an extension of your brand. Use this valuable piece of virtual real-estate to publish interesting content your web visitors will want to share with others. When blogging, keep self-promotional pieces to a minimum. Strive to provide valuable content and your website visitors will become raving fans and clients too. Connect your blog to your Facebook and Twitter accounts for greater exposure and increased influence.

4. Stay in touch. The best way to engage and convert people from website visitors to clients is to stay-in-touch. E-blasts, podcasts, Internet radio shows, autoresponders and electronic newsletters are great ways to connect with former, current and prospective clients. These tools allow you to simultaneously stay “top of mind” and impress your target audience with your ability to continuously provide valuable, relevant content.

5. Use a signature at the end of every email. Your email signature provides a great opportunity to expand your brand while provide valuable contact information. At a minimum, it should contain your company name, website, email address, and links to your social media sites. Add a photo for greater personalization. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business that is often overlooked.

Now that you know what to do, go ahead and start integrating social marketing into your overall marketing program. Your prospective clients are waiting!

To Your Success!

T. C. Coleman, Esq.

About the Author: T.C. Coleman, Esq. is the CEO of UpwardAction® – an online communications, social marketing and public relations agency. She has over a decade of experience as a transactional attorney, online marketing advisor and brand development consultant. UpwardAction® specializes in helping businesses leverage the Internet to tell their authentic stories in a way that generates new business opportunities. To learn more about the company, visit www.UpwardAction.com or call 1 (800) 753-6576. Follow UpwardAction on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/UpwardAction, on LinkedIn at www.LinkedIn.com/companies/upwardaction-llc or join their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/UpwardAction.com.