Credit: Social Orgs, Nan Ke

“More time is now spent on social networking than on e-mail…..The rapidly evolving world of social networks and blogs has officially grown up.” Yesterday (Sept 16th), Facebook stated that it has 300 million active monthly users globally, and is getting 3 million new users every WEEK.

One of the most valuable aspects of social media for business is the ability to learn more about our business partners, clients, and prospects from a “personal” perspective.  After all, social networking is all about building “relationships.”  Just as early CRM programs encouraged us to capture things like clients’ favorite sports, theatre interests, family info, etc., those personal elements are now freely available and readily broadcast.

There are thousands of social media out there. So what and where to start? Here our Naperville web design company has listed 5 social networks that would bring most boost to your businesses , within which the last 2 are especially for business users.

1.Twitter

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read each other users’ updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.

Why is it important?

• Communicate information about the company via a profile along with capability of using logo in each individual message (Tweet)
• Send messages instantaneously about new product development, events, and any significant news within the company
• Establish two way communication with any clients or customers or the general public in a new way

2. Linked In

The purpose of Linkedin is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in business. The people in the list are called Connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection.

What can it do?

• Set up organizational profile to establish company presence
• Create personal profile to establish identity
• Industry issues can be discussed to gain recognition and involvement of individual company represented
• Can join related groups to establish and grow relationships and find new business contacts

3.Facebook

In Facebook users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves.  Company and organizational profiles can also be established.

Why use it?

• Increases awareness of companies and individuals
• Can create company profile to establish organizational presence
• Communicate with individuals and company at all levels
• Creates a place to become fans of the company and can get targeted messages

continued: 5 Most Useful Social Media for Small Business (2)

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By: Nan Ke

Get Connected in Social Media

While I’m saying it’s really easy, I mean it. Give it a try!

Follow these, and you’ll grasp all you need for social media and jump start in a few hours.

1. Where to Social for Small Businesses?

A: Twitter, Facebook, Linked In and your own Blog.

These are what so far I found most efficient for small businesses. Forget about hanging on 50+ different social media sites unless you have a same sized marketing department and dollar as Dell. It is completely time-and-money-consuming business.

2. How to be Social?

A: Be yourself. Be personal. Start with your own blog and try to update weekly at first.

Research! Listen 300% more what other say. Then you talk.

Try publish more often, 5+ daily . Commit.

3.What to Social?

Blog and Twit about You, Your Family, Your Business , Your Customers, and Your Goals.

Being personal and sociable is very important. Comment on other blogs. Remember to be RESPONSIVE to your audiences, twitter followers and facebook fans. Answer their questions and involve in their discussions.

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One of the biggest misconceptions with online marketing is that social media is only for large brands. Truthfully, a small business that invests its time wisely can improve customer (or client) loyalty and traditional word of mouth marketing efforts.

Social media is useful for almost every type of business. Cafes, retail stores, and even professional services can build their online reputation and increase trust. By taking advantage of social media, businesses can make themselves more accessible, more personable, and maintain long term connections. For a small business looking to increase referrals, social media can be a powerful tool.

Here are five ways small businesses can capitalize on this new form of marketing.

Why use social media?

Social Media for Small Businesses

The best way to illustrate why small businesses are using social media is with a story. Think back to the days of the wild west. In those days, towns had one general store, and the store owner knew everyone. People trusted him and knew what they were getting. Enter the industrial age, and efficiency trumped personalization. People didn’t mind where they bought from, as long as goods were cheap.

Now, that mentality has changed. Consumers are once again reverting to a need for personalization from businesses large and small. The need has been rekindled by the Internet and our ability to find anything we want, as well as a mistrust of advertising (think used cars salesmen).

We’ve reached a point where the consumer wants to know the store owner’s name and that he can be trusted. Small businesses must look beyond their want to grow into corporations, and instead focus on their core customers. Thanks to social media, we’re able to foster these relationships easily and quickly.

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Credit: Vertical Response

Sizzling Summer Internet Marketing Tips (2): Generate Word of Mouth Marketing

Chances are your happiest customers are the best and cheapest marketing tool you have at your disposal. People who are already fanatical about your company’s products or services will be the first to tell their friends, coworkers, and personal network about the quality of service they receive. So here are a few ideas to get your best customers talking more about you:

• Ask customers to spread the word. Don’t be afraid to ask your most satisfied customers to tell their friends, colleagues, or family members about your business. Consider offering them some exclusive service or benefits that they can brag about to their friends; try a VIP email newsletter list that puts customers “in the know” about new products, sales or promotions before anyone else. Then add a link to every email marketing promotion you send that allows them to forward the message to a friend. Soon, their friends will want to get in on the action, your VIP list will grow, and so will your business.

• Give people something to talk about. One customer with a family-friendly restaurant started offering stroller valet. Word got out that not only could you enjoy a great meal there, but you could also bring your kids without worrying about inconveniencing other diners when deciding where to park the bulky stroller. This tactic is especially helpful in busy downtown locations or shopping areas. Another restaurant promotes Tuesday nights in the summer as “family night”. What was once a slow night for their kitchen now encourages local customers with children to come in and feel right at home. A preset kids’ menu and a few decibels noisier, now it’s the most popular place in town for the family crowd. As a side benefit, the customers without children, who appreciate a quiet meal, know to make plans for any other evening. Think about ways you could offer a memorable service experience and get people talking.
• Make it easy. If you’re selling products by mail or in stores, consider including something memorable or
noteworthy in the box or bag. It can be silly, inspirational, or whimsical, but it should remind them who
you are and that you offer more than your competitors. Better yet, include two items and ask them to
give one to a friend.

Sizzing Summer Internet Marketing Tips (1)

More Marketing Articles visit napervillemarketingideas.com

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Credit:  Vertical Response
While summer can be a boom time if you’re selling ice cream or pool cleaning services, it can be a slow season for many businesses.But summer doesn’t have to mean lower revenues – it can be an excellent time to solidify existing customer relationships and take advantage of a slower pace to execute professional, tried and tested marketing techniques.

Been helped small business succeed on their online marketing ,  the following ideas gethered by us could help you to boost your business this summer for sizzling success.

1. Launch a Customer Win-Back Campaign

This approach ties into the notion of customer loyalty. While your competitors may be taking the summer season in stride, your message will resonate loud and clear. You miss them and want them back. To win back a previous customer, it’ll cost you less than acquiring a new one. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Send lapsed customers a self-addressed, stamped postcard for a survey. Find out why they’ve taken their business elsewhere. Was it a service or price issue? Is there something you can do to win them back? Just asking the question shows that you care and you’ll probably learn something new about your business in the process.

• Offer an incentive to come back.  Send them an email or postcard and offer them a discount off a product or service. It might be just the reminder that you mean what you say.

Create an alert in your survey if someone answers a question reflecting a poor service experience. If they come back, work extra hard to change their mind. The difference now is you know why they left in the first place.

…to be continued.

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