The Community Factor - Social Media

I have been trying to figure out something that probably has been blatantly obvious to the rest of the world, what is all the buzz about social media? Why is it growing like it is? It finally dawned on me; it allows anyone to create a community in minutes. Simple, right. Why is that important? You ask good questions, I will tell you. When it comes to marketing whether it is local or global, the rule of thumb is he who has the biggest list wins. The key is that the list should be targeted and focused. By joining a social media site such as Facebook and Twitter you become part of a large group of millions of users. Once you are a member you create subgroups or interest groups such as a Fan Page on Facebook. Once you have this Fan Page up you can get your friends to promote it for you and before long you can build a more focused list. At this point you have an opportunity to monetize your time and effort.

The whole key is building clusters of groups with similar interests or communities. Then add value and content to keep this community engaged. Once you do that you can start to share what you have to offer by way of products, seminars and services. Literally, when done well, you can be selling on the internet in weeks and months instead of years.

What kind of community do you want to build? What kind of community are you a member of? Now how can you apply this to what you do and how you do it?

All a flutter for Twitter

Okay, I will admit I do not understand exactly how to use Twitter yet as a business tool to increase business, but I am enjoying the process of learning it. It is actually starting to grow on me. I have quickly gotten quite a few followers in a short time. I am also following quite a few myself. I love that it interfaces with Blogger and Facebook. Post once and distribute all over. Super idea! I like that I have to learn to be concise in my thoughts and judicious in my words. The more I spend on line trying to understand the cyber world, the more I realize just how small the world is and we truly are a global community. So why does there have to be so much war.

Social Networking Works

I am an avid believer in Social Networking, now. Although I must admit I went kicking and screaming. Well, maybe not screaming. I am also a believe in internet tools. Let me share an example with you.

I use a tool called Google Alerts. When I want to follow a company, topic or person, I set up a Google Alert and on a daily basis I receive emails with information on the Alert if there is something to find on the Internet and in the News. Pretty simple. I believe in saving money and making money and helping my clients to do the same. I joined a company that helps me do that so I wanted to follow that company. Here's my site with the company: Lia's BigN. I set up a Google Alert to follow any stories and updates on Team National and the National Companies. Today I found the have a huge presence on the web, specifically in Social Networking. See for yourself: Team National Social Networking Presence.

So what is my point. If you take time to use the tools out there you can have a huge presence on the web and it does not have take a long time or a lot of money.

Action Step:

• Develop a Social Networking Plan
• Identify good sources for Networking
• Set up a Editorial Calendar to populate the sites usually with posts
• Then take action and make it happen.

Now just enjoy the results.