Social Media Marketing Benefits
Social Media Marketing sure is HOT! I have been very successful in helping clients with my Social Media Marketing packages, but one of the questions I’m always asked is, ‘What are the benefits?’
While most clients want to be assured that closing new business is a part of the benefit, and it is, it is probably the least in overall importance to your total marketing efforts within this platform.
As a generally ‘free’ form of marketing, social media can generate incredible exposure for your business. With proper use of your profile areas, and links, you can create lots of exposure to your offerings.
Not only will this increase traffic to your web presence, but you can increase your subscribers/database by making sure that you have something to offer people, with little to no cost, when they first connect to your home page.
These tools can also connect you to new business opportunities and joint ventures. By searching for groups that connect to your target market, you will soon find others well suited to your niche. These connections can lead to some pretty incredible relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs.
All this activity, back and forth between your social media also helps to increase your search engine optimization. Sort of a nice bonus – you’ll be much more visible when people are looking for your products and services.
Participation in multiple social marketing communities and groups can also help to generate a more qualified lead. Connections can be made through mutual friends, testimonials and recommendations, all which help to establish you as a trusted expert. In many cases, the lead has already decided to do business with you before they ever make a connection.
And while I will say that these social media sites have certainly helped me to close sales with new prospects, many in areas of the world I might never have reached otherwise, I believe the most important benefit I’ve found to social media marketing is the overall reduction of my marketing expenses.
By adjusting my marketing plan and being consistent with social networking, I have been able to reach more prospective clients, build stronger relationships with current clients, peers, and colleagues, for little to no cost. How bad could that be?
So take the plunge. Get involved with Social Media…and enjoy the ride!
Jeannine Clontz, IVAA CVA, MVA, CRESS, PREVA, EthicsChecked™, CRVA, owner of Accurate Business Services is a Past-president of the IVAA (International Virtual Assistants Association), and is an author, VA Coach, and speaker on business topics including business ethics. For her free 10-Step Guide to Finding the Right VA, send a request to: service@accbizsvcs.com. For more information visit: http://www.accbizsvcs.com, www.VAbizcoach.com or her book website http://www.entrepreneurialfreedom.com.
I was part of a group of women business owners, and members of the St. Louis Chapter of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) who were invited to participate in a video about the organization which aired on St. Louis television this past Sunday. Sponsored by www.allaboutbusinesstv.com who did a fabulous job. Check it out!
The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), of Metropolitan St. Louis, recently announced their annual Public Policy trip to Jefferson City which includes their members, and participants from 15 statewide organizations including the St. Louis Minority Business Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Women Impacting Public Policy – Missouri, MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council, and the St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable, just to mention a few.
This is going to be a great NAWBO St. Louis meeting – and you get a FREE book with your registration – hope to see you there! 
