Social Media Marketing 101: Where to Begin?

You've started your business, you have a great service or product to offer, your website is up and running, now all you need is customers. That means marketing. I know. I hear you groaning already. But trust me, marketing isn't as bad as you think.

There's a new kid in town and it's name is social media marketing, and it is an efficient and cost effective way for start-up and small companies to market themselves. It doesn't cost a lot of money but it will take some time and effort on your part. But like anything else, once you have the right tools, the job is much easier.

The Tools You Need

Blog: Wordpress, Blogger
Set up a blog on your website and post weekly articles for you products or services, about industry news, about specials and promotions, or any information that your customers would find valuable.

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus
Set up an account with 2 or 3 social networks and start connection with potential customers. It's a great way for your friends to link you to their friends who link you to their friends and so on. You can also link you blog to these sites and let your friends and followers know that you have a new post on your blog.

Multimedia:
Photos: Flickr, Shutterfly, Google's Picassa
Video: Youtube, Vimeo
Audio: Podcasts
Adding multimedia elements to your blog and website makes them more engaging and draws attention better than text alone. The more engaged your visitors are, the more likely they are to return.

E-mail:
Monthly Newsletter
Work hard to get your visitors to sign up for your free monthly newsletter. By signing up, they offer to let you remind them every month that you are in business. Offer fun, interesting, or beneficial information so they are eager to stay on your mailing list.

Tying it all together:
Website
Successful social media marketing builds relationships, generates word of mouth marketing, and strengthens brand loyalty with your customers. But lets face it, it also needs to turn visitors into paying customers. Everything you do, your blog, your photos, your videos, your newsletter, should drive your visitors to your website where they can buy your product or order your service.

It takes time and effort to have a successful social media marketing plan, but the rewards can be well worth it.