| Social media marketing involves an open exchange of | | | | Be as detailed as possible at this stage because this |
| opinions, ideas and information on popular social | | | | information will help you tailor your message and its |
| networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and | | | | delivery down the road. |
| LinkedIn. In recent years, this concept has | | | | 2.) Develop a Game Plan. Social media marketing |
| revolutionized the way businesses promote their | | | | requires active participation on your part. Once you've |
| products and services to potential customers. Unlike | | | | established an Ideal Customer Profile, you should then |
| traditional one-sided forms of advertising, social media | | | | formulate a specific action plan which details how you |
| marketing is a more collaborative effort and relies | | | | will reach those individuals online. There are literally |
| much more heavily on developing and maintaining | | | | hundreds of social networking sites on the Internet, so |
| positive relationships with customers and prospects. | | | | jumping in without a solid game plan can lead to a lot |
| As a result, companies are no longer able to force | | | | of frustration and wasted time. Therefore, figure out |
| canned marketing messages on a disinterested | | | | ahead of time how much time and resources you can |
| audience. | | | | devote to creating content, leaving comments and |
| Perhaps the most exciting part of this online revolution | | | | otherwise participating in the social media conversation |
| is how it levels the playing field between billion-dollar | | | | and schedule that time into your day just like you |
| operations and small start-up ventures. Buzz worthy | | | | would any other important activity. Then, identify which |
| material can quickly go viral and transform an unknown | | | | social networking sites (i.e. Twitter or YouTube) best fit |
| entity into an overnight sensation. If you own any type | | | | your needs and establish a presence on those sites |
| of business, odds are you already recognize the | | | | during the time you have allotted. |
| enormous potential of this budget-friendly marketing | | | | 3.) Create Lots of Fantastic Content. The best way to |
| trend. However, with so many viable options to choose | | | | develop a devoted following online is to consistently |
| from, you may soon find yourself overwhelmed with | | | | provide great content that imparts real value to your |
| where to begin. | | | | reader. However, avoid becoming overly |
| Here is a Simple 3 Step Strategy to Help You Get | | | | self-promotional at this stage. Instead, offer tips, ideas |
| Started with Social Media Marketing: | | | | and reviews that can help your fans, followers and |
| 1.) Create an Ideal Customer Profile. Before you launch | | | | connections save time and money. Becoming a |
| a social media marketing campaign, it is important to | | | | recognized authority in your field will make your |
| fully understand who your intended audience is. This | | | | products or services a natural choice for anyone |
| makes sense because if you don't know who you are | | | | interested in your area of expertise. |
| trying to reach, how can you possibly target the right | | | | Although entire books have been devoted to how to |
| audience? So take some time and write out | | | | make the most of social media marketing, this simple 3 |
| everything you can think of about your ideal customer, | | | | step strategy offers a great starting point - and will get |
| including gender, age, socio-economic status, and | | | | you up and running in no time. |
| common challenges or problems he or she may face. | | | | |