Unless you have a clearly defined marketing strategy, your marketing efforts, including those on social networking sites, will be a wasted effort.

 

 

Think long and hard about your marketing strategy. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is the purpose of my networking on this site?  As the video above aptly illustrates, "because everyone else is doing it" is not sufficient reason for you to invest your tme and effort.


2. Who is your customer and are they likely to use this site or social network?  For that matter, how does your target customer like to receive marketing information?  Via the television?  Newspaper or other print material?  From the radio?  Or does your customer seek information on the internet?


3. What is your message?  Are you intending to create brand awareness?  Are you trying to sell a product?  To add value?  What is it specifically that you wish to say?  As stated before, unless this is clearly defined, your efforts will be for nought.


4. How does social networking (and more to the point, networking on the specific site you've chosen) fit within your marketing mix?


5. How will you measure the results of your marketing efforts?

When you can answer these questions clearly and specifically, you will have a winning strategy and be well on your way with marketing through social networking.

 

© 2009, Shelley Dudley, Life Coach and Small Business Consultant

Shelley has 25 years' experience in sales & marketing, customer service, and training. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, she has written articles for a diversity of publications from Ladies Home Journal to Precious Metal Magazine.