This one should be obvious but I think it is worth repeating especially for those just starting out on the adventure of internet marketing (selling stuff on the internet).
Online technology has developed so quickly, starting in the 1980’s, it has influenced the lives of millions of people and created a complete transformation within our society and become a vital part of everyone’s life on the planet. The inception of the internet is clearly the most phenomenal development in the modern age. Almost every aspect of our lives has been impacted in one way or another.
Today, on the internet you will find countless (millions) of websites catering to an endless array of venues. E-commerce, information sites, blogging, and many others… In fact, you name it, you’ll find it!
And what about the way people are communicating with each other? We are all aware of those online communication tools to make it easier for us to send and receive messages. These messages can be personal or they can be for the promotion of a business, product or service.
With the proliferation of the internet came another element that affected many people’s lives - online social networking.
What is online social networking? Basically, this is a website that attracts people with the option of becoming a member along with others who join effectively creating a network of friends. This all started in 1995 with the very first social networking website called Classmates.com. After which many others have followed and likewise created their own loyal group of members.
A couple of the most well known online social networking websites are: Twitter and Facebook.The idea is that: you sign up; look for friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and even people that you haven’t had any interaction with and invite them to be a "friend" (Facebook) or to "Follow" you on Twitter. When they join you, you are now creating your own network. Some of the other popular social networking websites are "Linkedin", MySpace, "Pinterest", "LiveJournal" and the list goes on.
This also creates a string of connections by which you can locate and trace long-lost friends you have had little or no contact with for many years. Hence, a social networking site is not just for creating a network of friends but a way for all people, living near or abroad, to communicate even when they are continents apart.
Such websites have many benefits that can be reaped without having to pay a penny for this service. If you think social networking websites are for creating a network of friends and colleagues alone, think again! As luck would have it (actually I'm sure it was designed this way) social networking websites can also be a very smart and inexpensive way to promote your e-business.
Promoting your e-business through Social Networking sites
If you spend any amount of time on the internet, you probably are already a member of a social networking site. If you aren't then you should be. Social Networking Sites are an essential part of your business success. Join as many social networking sites as you can find (Google can help you) and join the sites and post a link to your Blog. Make sure you read and follow the rules for the site first. Make regular visits and post something interesting about what's going on in your life and on your Blog. Create interest and make your posts fresh and make them often. Create an identity that people learn to trust, this has always been and will continue to be your key to success
Blogs are used not only to express thoughts and ideas but are also a great way to help promote your business. Your Blog usually contains a series of posts and articles expressing daily thoughts, opinions, tutorials or reviews. For the business-minded blogs are used for creating interest by a posting followed by the placement of links usually to a product or service either directly or indirectly marketed by "YOU" the owner of the Blog. This should all start to make sense as to why you need that social networking piece of the puzzle.
If your social network page has many members, your blog can be "linked" to many potential readers and very importantly customers. The more people that become a part of your social networking world the more chance that people will click to visit your blog and if you can get their attention there and keep them coming back for more the better chance you have that they will click on a link on your blog and you will make sales.
So if you maintain a Blog and you intend to use it as an outlet for sales then it's easy to see that Social Networking can be a great tool to help you get there. Not only are they free but hey you meet some great people and some great customers and you will be driving your e-Business forward to success.
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