| If you've poked around any one of the vast number of | | | | or immediately after a new account is registered. Most |
| social networks, then you have probably found that | | | | of us either skim these or ignore them completely. But |
| there is an online community for just about every | | | | we really shouldn't. If you're the head of a social media |
| interest. Whether you are looking for communities to | | | | marketing team with a new social media marketing |
| engage your personal interests or places where you | | | | campaign, you should print out or send the rules to all |
| can help boost your social media marketing impact, | | | | members, so they'll know what is and isn't acceptable. |
| you're bound to find several niche communities that | | | | What rules are important? One example is some |
| interest you. | | | | online community forums allow links in your signature |
| If you would like to make the most of your social | | | | (the short blurb that appears with every post you |
| media marketing and online presence, then it's not just | | | | make), and some won't. Make sure you are aware of |
| important to find the communities that will best reward | | | | the community's rules before posting a link to your site |
| your social media marketing efforts, but it is also crucial | | | | in an online forum. |
| that you learn the unique dynamics of each community. | | | | Study the Community First - When you join an online |
| Your college alumni Facebook group will not operate | | | | community, it's best not to simply dive right in and start |
| along the same conventions as a forum where skiers | | | | posting, but rather sit back and observe how things |
| gather to exchange information and tips, so it is | | | | operate. Think of it as your chance to play |
| important to learn the rules if you want to make any | | | | anthropologist. Finding out what people are discussing |
| headway with a social media marketing campaign. | | | | and how they discuss it will give you a better idea of |
| Joining online communities can be a great way to | | | | how you approach that particular online community. |
| enhance your online brand and cultivate a great, | | | | And depending on the type of community, you will be |
| engaging image through a well-crafted social media | | | | able to learn how people use and comment on your |
| marketing campaign. Whether you're looking to | | | | product or service. It's a great resource for an |
| increase your personal presence online or your goal is | | | | unfiltered view into how people really think about your |
| to improve your business' online activity, niche online | | | | brand or business. |
| communities remain a great opportunity for effective | | | | Obey the Rules and Norms - So you've read the rules |
| social media marketing. | | | | and regulations, and you're abiding by them. That's |
| It's important to first find where your audience is, but | | | | great. But every community also has several unwritten |
| that's just the first step. Growing an online presence is | | | | rules. Unwritten rules could include what's considered |
| an activity that takes time because you first must | | | | acceptable when it comes to linking to company sites |
| discover how your audience communicates. Are they | | | | as part of a social media marketing campaign. Other |
| active on Facebook? Do they read Twitter updates? | | | | rules could refer to the terms and language used on a |
| Do they have a Ning group? Finding the online areas | | | | site. Some online communities are just going to be |
| where your target hangs out is the only way you can | | | | more casual than others. You can make sure you're |
| effectively communicate with them as part of a social | | | | hitting the right tone in your social media marketing |
| media marketing campaign. | | | | efforts by figuring out the vocabulary acceptable on |
| But once you find those communities, a little more | | | | the site before you begin posting. |
| preparation is required before you launch a social | | | | Learn the Community Hierarchy - Most online |
| network marketing campaign. If you simply sign up for | | | | communities have some kind of leader, whether it's an |
| an account and then deliver your sales pitch, you'll be | | | | official administrator or just an unofficial group |
| ignored at best, and criticized at worst. These groups | | | | organizer. By watching for a bit, you'll be able to figure |
| value community, and they value people who positively | | | | out which people are prominent presences and which |
| contribute to their community. | | | | people are just an occasional commenter. |
| Experience has shown that a company rep or a | | | | Remember, administrators often have the power to |
| marketer can become an accepted community | | | | kick people out of the community, so knowing the right |
| member if they contribute regularly. If that person | | | | way to approach them is imperative to your social |
| takes time to develop real relationships and takes time | | | | media marketing campaign. |
| to offer advice to community members, then he or | | | | Don't Directly Market - Online communities that are |
| she will reap the benefits of being a trusted group | | | | thriving and successful (that is, any online community |
| member. | | | | that's worth joining as a part of a social media |
| That's the new blueprint for developing online | | | | marketing campaign) will not want direct marketing. |
| relationships with consumers that matter. And while | | | | People gather in online communities because they |
| that may sound like a lot of work, it's not that difficult. In | | | | want to share their interests, opinions, ideas and |
| fact, many who have embarked on this social media | | | | knowledge. If you invade a place with a clunky social |
| marketing strategy have found that engaging with their | | | | media marketing spiel, then you'll likely find yourself |
| target audience is one of the most enjoyable parts of | | | | ostracized. |
| their day. And it's also a great way to get tips, news | | | | But if you offer value-if you offer your own ideas and |
| and opinions that would have otherwise been missed. | | | | opinions about a range of topics, then you'll be valued |
| So what are the specific social media marketing | | | | yourself. When you establish trust with online |
| strategies you need to implement when participating in | | | | community members you will able to increase your |
| social communities? Here are the most important. | | | | presence and your brand's presence with savvy social |
| Pay Attention to the Rules - Nearly every social media | | | | media marketing campaign. |
| site has rules. They're usually listed on a page before | | | | |