Banking on Your Blogging

As marketing on the internet has evolved one thing has remained consistent and that is the importance of compiling an email list of potential customers. Growing your business by using an email based marketing campaign continues to be a very effective strategy.

With the internet landscape continually changing one would assume that there must be a more efficient manner for businesses to build an email list of potential customers.

One of the most noticeable changes taking the internet by storm in the recent past has been the growing popularity of online social networking sites. The internet community has flock to these sites in droves and this trend shows little signs of slowing down. The result has been more effort invested into tapping the potential of these sites for business purposes.

One of the top social networking sites online today namely Twitter has become a popular target for online entrepreneurs. Due to its huge base of users this site is prime internet real estate for marketers. The question here concerns the most effective way to harness the traffic off this site and channel it into your business funnel to build an email list of people who have an interest in what you promote?

Here is a simple 4 step strategy that has proven to be effective for siphoning traffic from Twitter for online business purposes

Open an Account

This seems simple and it is but there are just a few things you will want to pay attention to as you register for your account.

Use either your name or business name as your user ID. This will lend more legitimacy to you in the eyes of other users. Many people use clearly falsified identities which tend to repel other users. If someone is ‘hiding’ behind a false identity would you trust them?

The other thing you want to do is to have a picture of you or at least a avatar of some sort that represents your business.

Search the User Base

Twitter has a very simple method for searching their site based upon ‘people’ search or keyword searches. Using keywords that are relevant to your business do a search and then follow the people and/or businesses that come up in the results. Also follow some of their ‘friends’ so that you are now ‘intermingling’ with people who share your ‘business’ interests.

Share Useful Information

After a short period of time you will develop a list of your own followers. First off remember Twitter is a ’social’ site therefore most people are NOT there to be sold. You need to first develop a relationship with them much like you would do in any email based marketing campaign. Once you have done that you will be in a better position to promote to them.

Locate information or resources that would be of interest to the people who are following you and then post it or at least links to it on your own blog. At this point you can now direct your followers over to your site to view this information.

Place an Opt In Box on Your Blog

Now that you have followers visiting your blog for the information you are sending to them you can create and place sign up form on it offering a free giveaway. You are now on your way to developing a sizable email list of people you have attracted from Twitter who share an interest in what it is you do.

As marketing on the internet continues to change some things remain the same. An email based marketing campaign continues to prove effective at accelerating the growth of any online business. One significant change however is the growth of online social networking sites. Their growing popularity has created huge population bases which present tremendous business potential for online entrepreneurs. It is now a matter of learning how to siphon traffic away from these sites and onto your email list. As mentioned Twitter is one of the top social networking sites which presents enormous marketing potential due to the size of its user base. By following the simple 4 step strategy reviewed above you should be able to divert plenty of traffic from this site and onto your email list. At that point you can commence a marketing campaign that should help boost your sales and grow your business.

The growth in the popularity of online social networking sites has attracted flocks of internet marketers to various sites. In fact the phenomenal growth of social network sites has likely been boosted by this attraction. Online entrepreneurs being an opportunistic bunch recognize the traffic potential these sites have. It appears however that effectively using these sites for marketing on the internet still seems to be in the developmental stages.

Let’s look at 3 common mistakes people continue to make when trying to use social network sites for marketing on the internet.

It’s a Social Community Not a Marketplace

Do not go into any social site with your marketing guns blazing away. You will likely find yourself shooting blanks. People do not like to be approached about buying insurance at a Christmas Party and social network members do not like to be assaulted with advertisements. The biggest mistake of all here is that little or no time is spent by many online entrepreneurs to develop any type relationship with other members.

Hiding Your Identity

Bad move right away! If you are on a social site but are reluctant to ‘reveal’ your identity you may as well move on. Perhaps a ‘mysterious personality’ is attractive to some however most people are understandably more comfortable knowing who it is they are ‘talking’ with.  

You can not expect a person to feel comfortable with someone that acts like they are part of a ‘witness protection program’ and therefore reluctant to reveal their identity. You will be received with all the warmth of a glass of ice water on a cold winter day!

Your first step when joining any of the online social networking sites should be to complete your bio. It is also a good idea to post a picture of yourself or at least a caricature if you are that shy.

Getting Expectations Too High

Yes social network sites can be used to help grow your business but relationships must first be built before significant and meaningful traffic can be generated. Online entrepreneurs should not rely too heavily upon these sites for immediate and targeted traffic needs since their origins are rooted in socializing and not commerce. Social networking is what spawned the popularity of these sites and it is unlikely that emphasis will change.

On the other hand these sites are a great compliment to your other traffic sources and contacts you make here can prove to be fruitful later on.

It is tempting to devote a lot of time ‘working’ social network sites for business due to the traffic potential and because they are ‘free’ to join. However time is money and you may find you are spending more time at these sites than they are worth at least from a business standpoint.

Online social networking remains to be a potential marketing bonanza but far too many online entrepreneurs continue to use inefficient and ‘anti-social’ techniques. Their mistaken attitudes and behavior only serve to make their efforts less effective. The 3 common mistakes we reviewed above serve as mere examples of the type ‘behavior’ most social network sites are not receptive to. In order to more efficiently utilize these sites for marketing purposes there will be a greater need for the use of finesse and patience. At that point the vast potential of these sites will then begin to be released.

Social networking sites are intended to be online communities where you can ‘let your hair down’ while socializing with others. The lack of formality and anything goes mentality is meant to create a casual atmosphere at these social sites for participants. Online social networking has in fact become so popular that it has become a breeding ground for certain predators. The fact that these sites are open to the public for anyone to join also makes it easy to access and view the conversations at any of the social network sites.

In essence what we have are private conversations that can be viewed by just about anybody. It is therefore wise for members of any of these social sites to practice a little discretion when leaving comments or information since you can’t be sure who may view it.

Let’s look at 3 types of risks you may expose yourself to if you’re not careful when posting any comments or information on any of the social network sites.

Professional Risks

Although socially intermingling does encourage you to relax and ‘let your hair down’ be aware that many companies or organizations have access to these same sites. It has become a common practice for any information or comments left on a site to be used to ‘profile’ that person. So personal opinions, preferences, or interests could potentially damage you or your career if they fall into the hands of the wrong ‘professional’ sources. If your interests are more professional in nature you may want to consider building a business blog. Go here to see how!

Online Criminal Risks

Phishers, bots, or other elements with less then pure intentions literally troll the social networks in search of any personal information they can find. Their intentions could range from stealing a password to your email to much more sensitive financial information with far greater potential to do damage to you. Extortion, identity theft, or even black mail could be the result so exercise caution and realize that you NEVER know who may be ‘listening’ to your conversations.

Offline Asset or Property Risk

Risks on a more ‘physical’ level are quite possible when releasing the ‘wrong’ information on any online community. Comments that indicate your home address, marital status, or even vacation or work schedule could be used by predators to locate and pilfer your habitat or worse. It is always wise to routinely exercise caution at any of these sites. If people you’re already conversing with are your friends they already know these intricate details about you or your life. There’s otherwise no need to restate any sensitive details online since this poses a potentially harmful risk to you.

The idea behind social networking sites is terrific and obviously a huge hit with the masses. Making available online communities in which you can discuss interest or events with like minded people was something needed online. It is however wise for anyone using these social sites to exercise a little caution when posting comments or information. Online social networking sites are easy access to the general public therefore assume that all your posted information will be on display. By not posting anything you wouldn’t want the general public to see you’ve taken great strides towards protecting yourself online. If you’re interested in online socializing in a more protected environment while also earning an income check this out!