iSMOblog

Is marketing all about connecting with people? Well…times have changed and so has the technology. Today, marketing is all about connecting with people…faster. Time is of essence but it does not mean that marketing has to be done hastily. It should be effective and well-planned at the same time. And this is where social networks come into the picture.

Take one step at a time
Social networking websites such as MySpace, Orkut, Facebook and the others have huge number of members and we can assume that almost each member is a part of at least one community that caters to his or her interests. Now, if you have a product or an idea to sell, the most effective and easy way to do that is by locating your target audience in any such community on a social networking website. But even prior to that one has to also decide upon the website that you wish to use to sell. This has to be done by evaluating the features and their uses that each of these sites have to offer you. The features or the website that serves your maximum purpose should be chosen.

How to sell
Now once you are through with the selection of the website and have become a member of the community or communities made of your target audience, then start by making your presence felt. This can be done by adding yourself in others’ friends list and adding more and more people to your own. Never make it obvious that you are there to sell! Try and build a relationship with the people and in the process try and assess their needs and desires. If you come across a person who you think might be a potential customer, then start by telling about your product, service or idea in a very general way. Make sure that you give your customers what they want.

Your profile on the social networking website will act as a stepping stone. Make sure it is updated from time to time, has links to the various websites and blogs that shall help in the sale process…basically it should be informative in a very simplified manner.

One more very important thing is to interact. Building a relationship is one thing, and maintaining it is another. Make sure that you never lose contact with your ‘friends’ group. If they leave a comment about your blog, then reply to it. Invite more comments. Make them feel that they are important to you. Interaction is like a building block of marketing through social networking sites.

The glitch
The only glitch with marketing through these sites is that it is very time consuming. The results might not be instant but they are sure shot. Your constant involvement is constantly needed. And if you are ready to invest a lot of time, then this medium is very cost effective as compared to the other ones.
If you are still hesitant to start marketing through social networking, then all I have to say is that it is truly worth giving a chance. I am sure you will not regret your decision!