What do you consider to be the best/most important social networking activity that someone can do to promote their business?
That was a question posed on a social networking site that I often visit. I gave my opinion to that question- I would be interested in hearing yours.
My feelings are that it all starts with the blog or website. I prefer starting with the blog………….
Example:
Let’s say you are using Twitter. You will need to have to have a landing page with “more information” on your product or service for people to go to if interested in what you have to offer. Since Tweets are only 140 or less characters, there isn’t a way to “sell” directly from there.
Instead, your blog or website is linked to in your Twitter profile and you can randomly tweet whatever you want- blog posts, product specials, and more. Just leave a link in your tweet back to your website or blog.
With Facebook……pretty much the same deal. You can connect with people and make great friends and business partners, reconnect with people from your past, advertise, add video’s and pics, link to other sites, etc….
There is also MySpace, Beebo, LinkedIn and about 3 million others….some better than others.
Other sites like Mom Bloggers Club, Women’s Speed Networking Business Association, CafeMom and more…are all great ways to share your blog link. While there, check out groups where you can drop your Twitter and Facebook links, too.
Some of these are free, and some have “professional memberships” with certain perks.
If you are visiting any of these social networking sites to share a product or service, you need to have a home where it is all laid out….hence the blog or website.
In my opinion, since there are tons of ways that you can post to multiple social networking sites at once, it’s easy to utilize several!
Pro’s and Con’s…depending on how you look at it 
- Blogs are updated often, but older info is always there, easy for the reader to find.
- You can update often on Twitter, but your tweet is buried pretty quickly. You can carry on a tweeting conversation in real time…in 140 words or less per tweet. It’s interesting to say the least.
- Facebook is an easy to use venue for carrying on a discussion with others, sometimes with several people at once joining in and commenting..you can make “pages” and advertise on FB.
- YouTube- BIG, BIG, BIG from what they say….I still haven’t ventured there…
What it all boils down to…..I think we should do it all!
Set up the blog or website, then you can advertise your Twitter and Facebook on it….
And advertise your blog on your Twitter and Facebook….
And cross-promote everything you do….
What do you think? Do you prefer one form of marketing over another?
Please share!
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My personal favorite?
Women’s Speed Networking Business Association….the perks are great…
They have specialized training just for members, and your profile page is shared with over 6000+ people on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Buzz & MySpace several times a week.
Saves me time Tweeting & posting!
…and no I was NOT paid to say this, I just really like their services!
More social networking information!
On my online radio show, Get Bizzy Blogging , we had a great show with Evelyn Leon (December 8th airing).
She gave some great advice on how to use Twitter for connecting with others.
The recording is on the site to listen to.
On December 29th, guest speaker Kimberly Castleberry will be sharing tips for using Facebook.
The Holiday Blog Hop continues
Go to : Come on home and add your link!
P.S. You CAN leave a comment…it’s below the 3 pics (that promote older posts) and my bio below!
For some reason, people can’t see it and have emailed to tell me- sorry!
To me, the two things most important are a blog and Twitter. As you said, blogs give you the opportunity to show people what you’re made of. Twitter is a way to help drive traffic to your blog. I’m not sure many people see Facebook for business purposes, even if we try.
Mitch recently posted..The New Adsense Interface
Ok am I going crazy? I swear I responded to this….
(take a deep breath Carolee…)
Anyway, I can’t wait to see what Kimberly has to say about Facebook on the show December 29th!
I know Facebook is getting to be fun… the last few days have brought some interesting new connections…some I knew previously, some not!
Thanks for sharing about Social Networking Activities. Networkers really need to understand the importance of this to succeed online. At WSNBA Business networking site (http://www.wsnbassocation.ning.com) we share a lot of training, tips & ideas, so thanks for sharing. We love advertising and promoting our members.
Wow, THE Denice Duszynski has visited my blog
Seriously, that’s why I love you guys…all of you…
So many members there really want to CONNECT……….
Thanks for visiting!