Ways To Grow Your Business Online

Social media has continued to grow in popularity around the world. Social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+, are increasingly a part of business marketing regardless of the size of your business.

If you have been avoiding social media, remember that your customers, prospects and even your competitors are probably engaged in social media!
Why Should You Be Engaged In Social Media?

* Its Free. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc are all free to join and use.

* Engaging in social media helps to increase market awareness of your business with minimal investment of time. All you need is 15 minutes a day to engage with your customers, fans and followers and the benefits are long lasting.

* Obtain global reach through social media and reach out to people who are interested in your business across the world. These people may end up becoming global ambassadors of your business.

* Monitor and influence perceptions and customer experiences with your business through social media. If someone is saying something bad about you on social media you can learn about it and work towards rectifying the situation.

What Social Media Websites Should You Focus On?

In addition to any industry specific social media sites that might exist in your niche market, here are the four major social media sites where you must focus your main efforts:

Facebook: With 800 million active users and counting, you cannot afford to ignore Facebook any longer. You will surely find a few of your customers to engage with on Facebook.

Twitter: Follow friends, colleagues, vendors, experts and breaking news and engaging with them by posting brief updates (140 characters). It’s a quick and easy way to get your message out there.

Google+: The new kid on the block, Google+ provides the right channel for individuals and businesses to share whatever you want with whom ever you want.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is considered the world’s largest professional network (120 million+ members worldwide and growing). It’s a great platform to use to engage with your professional network and pursue opportunities.
How To Get Started In Social Media?

Do your homework and Plan: Find out what social media websites your customers and competitors are using and join them. Start small, and be sure to give your potential readers or followers good reasons for joining your networks: special offers, breaking news, etc. Contribute new content regularly and measure your results. Know how many new fans/followers you’re gaining each month and what type of posts/topics they engage more with through their likes, comments, retweets and +1′s.

Prepare Your Social Media Plan and Policies: These will act as a guide on topics for discussions about your business and industry. Provide guidelines to your employees and encourage them to socialize responsibly. If you have staff who are very conversant with social media let them be your ‘official’ representatives on sical networks.

Integrate Social Media Into Other Marketing Channels: Highlight your Facebook, Twitter etc accounts on your business cards, flyers, print and electronic media etc and encourage your customers and friends to join your social networks.
After You Comment & Before You Leave

Are you actively participating and promoting your business in social media? The more exposure you can get, the better! So, feel free to post links of your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ pages in the comments below to promote your business!

Kindly make comments below and also tweet it, share it on Facebook and on Google+.

Regards,

'Niyi Adelusola

...impacting positive influence for success!