Does social networking improve our business?
Though I have been building a lot like minded people into my professional network, I rarely get inquiries from my contacts related to business. Am I missing something? Should I make more efforts to build my business using these contacts?
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Oct 31, 2014
Of course!
Social Networking takes very big role to improve our business. please read the link http://seo-expertz.com/smm-smo-social-media-for-business-social-media-marketing-services-agency.html about Internet Marketing where you can see, small brief about Social Networking.
Oct 24, 2014
I am hardly the person to give advice here but I think there is a value in sociel network sites. I keep getting reminders from twitter which I have not used for six months or more. and every week fb exhorts me to 'update my status of something like that. I do not get along with the jargon preferring 'plain English' . By that you youngsters will mutter, 'old fashioned'.
However it is worth while, if you can spare the time it does get your name around and you do get to 'meet' lots of interesting people who do lots of fascinating things and think quite outrageously like you do. Are we not all bohemians, us writers?
Blogs are a good thing of course. You can never say that none of these actually turn into sales. It really does not matter. You will be that better known. You will have arguments, converstaions and dialogue. I am sure that Socrates, from his place in the nice part of Hades may be watching and be gleeful that so many of us are engaging in discussion on blogs. I am also sure that he would approve of the internet and of blogs and wishes he had had a computer in Ancient Athens.
Oct 23, 2014
New business owners think that social media and a website is crucial to their marketing efforts - This is like hunting an elephant with a shotgun - The core of a successful business is a thoroughly designed and drafted marketing plan and the proper implementation thereof . One of our clients have a website (for information on their products only. They do not have a facebook page to like. They do not have a linkedin profile. They do not use twitter. They are the most successful retirement village developers in South Africa - They have a proper marketing and implemented marketing plan that works and does not even recognize social media as part of it. They have defined their target market in minute detail and give that market solutions to their challenges
Oct 23, 2014
Do people know what you do? You say you are connecting with "like minded" people, but that does not mean they actually know or understand what you do. It also means they may not have a need for what you do. For example a web host would not need the services of another web host, unless there were specific differences (one is a consumer web host, the other a business web host. each targeting a different audience and can refer business to each other).
Make sure your message is clear. But do not spam your connections. Don't start emailing them saying "I do this, do you need my business". It is better to start your conversations with "What do you do? How can I refer business to you?" Offer to help first...It can take time, but your willingness to share and refer business will come back to you.
Be prepared with a 30 second elevator pitch. And have one written down that you can copy and paste when people ask you what you do. Again, make sure your message is clear. If you are a doctor, what kind? Do you specialize? Is there a type of patient that you prefer helping?
In your social media messages make 80% of what you post information you are sharing and the other 20% reminding people what you do and how you can help them.
I hope this helps you gain more business!
Oct 23, 2014
Not necessarily, but it can enhance your reputation! If attached to a website, it will also improve your ranking with Google, which can lead to business but it will be difficult to attribute this to Social Media directly. Its the collective response to all your marketing efforts that you should judge. Not one channel in isolation. Hope that Helps. :-)
Oct 21, 2014
Kalai,
you will not get a lot of enquiries or direct sales from social networking. At best the result is some visibility, and even that is limited. Search engines, topic related sites, and other means of marketing remain more powerful yet.
Oct 20, 2014
1. did u regularly post the inquiries to your network?
2. Yes you missing the annoucement of package deal like some attraction in your inquiries i.e discount offer or limited stock or new arrival of other product with increase in price.
Oct 20, 2014
It adds to your brand It is crucial to be on Linkedin, Google+ and Twitter. Add your opinions and don't sell. Mention what you do but do not say something like "hey we sell". Instead mention that you have a product describe what it does and how it can benefit people.
Oct 20, 2014
Social networking is just another important piece to be doing to improve your web presence. Your web site can be your best sales person but most companies pay the least attention to it. Social networking with an active and dynamic SEO strategy will make your profits and business grow.
Tim Whelan
SEO & social media specialist
Oct 19, 2014
Absolutely,
Social networking too helpful for your business if you are going to list your business from different social sites then you got many queries as well.
Oct 19, 2014
Ms. Aguiar is right on point! Social Networking will improve your business, but you have to be make sure your are updating your pages everyday. Add yourself to groups that have active conversations going. Socializing with others helps you meet other types of people that you would not generally talk to. It helps you promote your business, but you have to take a soft approach to selling someone on your business. Find out what other peoples needs are and ease your business on them slowly according to their needs and wants. If you go overboard in your first conversation, it will turn them off right away. Business is all about making relationships.
Oct 19, 2014
Hi Kalai Selvan,
We are managing E-Commerce Platforms. One of our clients has > 20.000 LIKES on Facebook and approx. > 10.000 followers on Twitter. The return in terms of ''Social'' business and actual turnover are shocking. The Conversion rate is < 1%
Lessons learned? Yes! Using Social Media or your community as a Selling tool in E-Commerce? Our gut feeling: NO, use your community to get in touch with the needs, create market awareness and update your network with relevant content and information. Sales will follow trough other channels.
Good luck!
Kind regards,
Joël
Oct 18, 2014
Absolutely! Set up 1-2-1's with your contacts and get to know them and what they do.
Referrals can be generated from these meetings. Lunch visits tend to be enjoyable.
Oct 18, 2014
Yes, definitely make the effort to talk with them by email, social media, chat or phone. I think getting out there and being in regular contact is just like maintaining any other relationship you would have with friends, family, co-workers. It takes effort and a genuine interest in other people and their needs. Caring and reaching out to others is the key.
Building a business takes a lot of time and a lot of effort, so be patient. In fact it can take a lot longer than you anticipated. Definitely reach out to people who you think you can help; there may be many who just don't need your product or service right now, but there will be some that do, either right away or later. The only way you will know is by engaging in conversation. Don't give up when it feels discouraging. Best of luck Kalai!
Oct 18, 2014
yes, it does but if you use social networking in appropriate way and you know very well your sector speciality (B2B or B2C) and your target is for your special clients' audience
some practical advices =
1) facebook is for B2C sector
2) linkedin is for B2B
3) find your target audience but not like minded people bcs like minded people are the same as you but they are not your clients bcs your clients needs your products but they think as suppliers but not as producers
you should make more effort to build your business using only right contacts = find contacts of your potential clients
wish you and to your business good luck!
Marina.
Oct 18, 2014
Yes, word of mouth through social interaction always helps unless you run into a bad actor...However, my guess and thought is the risk is worth the possibility
Oct 18, 2014
Any support, Traffic is good for business, Social medias just bring you the home touch. As you must know the reason for Social media networks is to keep in touch with friends, family, colleges and followers, when you reach out so do your direct group.
This sets up the 6 degrees of life's contacts. The point of Social media entirely.
In today's society as business models are revamped, Social medias are part of the core elements to do business.
Oct 17, 2014
Like many other respondents, I believe that social networking does improve business but, like any business relationship, contacts initiated through social media need to be proactively developed by you. In many ways it's like developing a sales lead. Typically you'll offer informative and helpful information in the early days. This shows you have a level of expertise in your chosen field and also that you're interested in solving problems and improving aspects that matter to your contacts (potential customers). Blogging is a useful activity in this regard, as others in this thread have noted. This builds a level of interest and confidence from your social media contacts who will then be more willing to engage with you on business development or sales conversations.
Oct 17, 2014
Good Question Kalai. I do believe that Social networking can improve the amount of exposure that you bring to your business and ultimately bring you clients. I have used social media as a marketing tool to talk about the events that I attend and speaking engagements that I also have and it has been very successful for me. I have also gotten to meet people that I would not ordinarilly have met had I not been using social media as a tool. Hope this helps.
Oct 17, 2014
I think you have to look at most social media as a route to connection and conversation,the best way of using some platforms such as twitter is to use a url link like bit.ly and link them back to a landing page on your website or blog where they can get more informationand make the buying decision.