Unarguably, the online medium is the best point of reference and most effective channel in gaining information about anything you may desire. With the augment of social media, blogging and various other online outlets, customers have the power to spread the word about anything they might know on virtual networks. Clearly, thanks to its reach and power to influence, the online medium has evolved into a large market place where businesses can sell, accomplish, build brand image, promote and win more customer loyalty. These networks are exceedingly effective in reaching prospective customers, establishing competence and strengthening your brand. Besides, online networks are also a great tool for businesses to conduct vital market research and decide their future course from there on.
Here are a few tips as to how entrepreneurs and businesses can use online networks to reinforce their brands
Get to know what consumers want: Regardless of the industry you belong, there is a community out there for you on the virtual platform. By participating in a community that is relevant to your business, companies can learn about consumer interests and reactions that are rarely found elsewhere.
Show Competence: If showing your expertise and knowledge is part of your marketing strategy, then there’s no better medium than social media. Speak up in mailing lists, online discussion forums, business blogs or post something profound, unique and thought provoking on a social networking website. You may get quoted and linked to thereby letting new people know about you and your business.
Word of mouth buzz: Create hype! If you have just launched a new product or service, just spread the news on social networks and you’ll be amazed because people will do the job for you by igniting word of mouth buzz. This is also one of the best ways to establish your own skill – so make sure to do it right!
Create a community: For a cause or an issue related to your brand. Music groups, films, writers, technology companies should especially find it easy and interesting to do this. You can make it fun or revolve it around an important issue. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade would be an excellent example.
Cross promotion: The way to succeed in online networks is to link in as much as possible. Link to your website in your e-mail signature, to your communities from your website, to your personal profile page from your community page. Do everything you can to cross promote!
Things to note about Social Media Marketing
Social media is not just about Facebook. Keep an eye on important alternatives such as Digg’s, Reddit’s, Netscape’s, Newsvine’sand Stumbleupon. Write a good post and you’re guaranteed to appear on their front pages & people will love you and take note of your work. On Facebook, you can reward your users who are helping you to spread your word out – this can be achieved by promoting their work on your homepage. Awesome way to build business relations too!
Things to note about Brand and Visibility Marketing
Whenever you write or post a comment on another website, make sure to sound as professional as you can. After all, you are using online networks to enhance your business; so treat this method as a way to show your knowledge on something. This means no comments like “OMG this is super hot” or “Wow, nice”. Comment in a manner that will make others take notice of you and your opinion; cite important sources to make your point, give examples, bring out issues that can be debatable, etc.
Also put your website address, on every piece of paper or communication device, including business cards, letterheads, invoices, newspaper and/or other print ads, yellow pages advertisements, receipts etc.
Things to note about Analytics Marketing
It’s important to pay attention to your website’s statics. Highly recommended that you install a good analytics tool such as IndexTools or Google Analytics. Continuously monitor your server stats, referrers and logs, and try to respond to links and articles that reference your website.
Keeping an eye on the analytics scene is a good way to survey your visitors, research your market and be up to date with your competitors as well.
Follow these methods on the virtual space and you are sure to escalate your business a step further.
Nargis Namazi
