Posted on May 14, 2008
Tips on Merging Social Media with Tried and True Practices to Promote Your Business
BY INGRID GETZAN
You've just spent the last week learning everything you can about building your Facebook page. Your last blog post generated 27 comments. You've spent hours reading competitor blogs and commenting on the personal blogs you follow. You have been Twittering like a pro. You have tried to immerse yourself in every pertinent online conversation you can find.
In the meantime, you've forgotten to send out your overdue email newsletter and implement the list building tactics you just read about. You haven't updated the survey on your site and your inbox has 42 new messages you haven't answered.
It's easy to lose yourself in Facebook applications or spend the day searching blogs to see who you can add on Twitter, but amidst all the new social media opportunities, don't forget about the tried and true tactics that worked to promote your business initially. More importantly, don't forget to leverage your new social media skills to continue building your business the old way.
Here are a few tips for a happy marriage between old internet marketing and new opportunities:
Old tactics promoting the new:
- Let your customers know that you can be found on Twitter by including it in your email signature or placing an icon with a link on your site.
- Ask them to become a fan of your Facebook page in the next email newsletter that you send out.
- Direct traffic to your blog via PPC ads and post sales, special tips, events and insider information frequently.
- Generate a personable, approachable feel by posting pictures of the staff and the office on Flickr for customers to browse through.
New tactics promoting the old:
- Alert people after a customer service call or have staff at your brick and mortar store tell customers that your business can be found on Twitter for fast, quick service.
- Include an email sign up form on your blog, or write posts occasionally encouraging visitors to sign up.
- Find your returning customers on Facebook and add them as a friend, asking them to become a fan of your page.
- Follow your target market through Google Blog Search and post comments (don't astroturf).
- Celebrate customers by posting photos of them using your product on your Flickr account.
- At the end of your survey, thank customers and let them know about your latest podcast.
Now, get out there and promote!
