Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Millions of people around the world have a social media account in the various social media websites out there. This is a place where people like to update regularly about what they get up to, post pictures, share views and post comments on other people’s pages. Now, people are using social media to promote their business and communicate with their customers.
There are many benefits of joining social media networks such as:
- YOU can build a strong online brand through community interaction
- YOU can drive free traffic to your website through content sharing
- YOU can network with influential people within your community
- YOU can find partners for your online project that compliment your own skills
- YOU can share your expertise and build authority on a topic
There are 5 easy steps to get started with social media which are shown below:
1) Sign up for a social media network
The First step in joining a social media network is to register an account, visit many social media websites and join whatever is of interest to you e.g. (Facebook, twitter, Digg, etc). Follow the steps required for you to join the social media website and usually, they will ask to confirm your email and then you can use your account.
One tip – try to limit the number of social accounts you open as it can be hard to manage them and update them regularly.
2) Fill in your profile information
Make sure you fill your profile information which is related to who you are and what you can offer to people. Make sure the information about yourself is such that people actually want to talk to you and interact with you. Make sure you link back to your main website.
3) Find great content to share with people
Search lots of different websites with content you appreciate and then compile a list of the best information into a post for your website. Share your links on social networks to get a wide range of people viewing them, but restrict to 3-4 links otherwise it will overwhelm people and it can be classified as spam. Share opinions and start discussions with other people to get yourself known and soon, you can start advertising to them.
4) Listen to what people want
Keep a list of popular discussions, what people’s problems are and how they can be helped and improved by your knowledge. Give back what you have learned on social networks to help people with any problems they have.
5) Reach out to millions of people
On social media networking sites you can reach out to millions of people and you can create relationships with them. You will gain followers over time from content and discussions you share.
After a few months, you will have built a strong following with whom you can share your ideas, your content, your expertise and knowledge with, which can lead to mutual benefit to everyone.
