Social Marketing

Using social network and bookmarking sites to drive traffic to your websites


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A Twitter tweet
Image via Wikipedia

Have you started Twittering?  If so, you may have a main goal.  For that many, that goal is to keep their friends, family members, and coworkers updated with short messages.  Yes, this is how many internet users use Twitter, but you may have other plans.  You may wish to use the website to market your business and to promote a product or service you sell.  If so, you can easily do so with @Replies on Twitter.  How?  Continue reading on to find out.

Before outlining how you can use @Replies to your advantage on Twitter, it is first important to understand the process.  Twitter is an online social networking website and micro-blog.  Once you register for a free account, you are able to develop a list of friends.  You can follow these friends and they may do the same for you.  Updates are sent through mobile phone web applications, RSS feeds, some instant messaging programs, and the Twitter website.  These updates are text based messages, which should be shorter than 140 characters each.

When first signing up for a Twitter account, you will be promoted to provide the password for your email account.  Although optional, this will allow you to see if your contacts have Twitter accounts.  You can also find friends by searching by location, name, or email address.  This is easy, but if your main goal is to use Twitter for internet market purposes, you need to expand your contacts.  You can do this by simply reading profiles and finding someone interesting or you join online message boards.  This is best if you stick with those inline with your business.  Do you sell pet products?  Join a pet message board and ask others to join you on Twitter.

As for how you can use @Replies to sell a product or a service, you do so by becoming a follower.  This is where you can benefit from returning the favor.  If someone becomes a follower and reads your updates, do the same.  Although this is not required, it can work to your advantage.  Why?  Because some Twitter members do more than just post what they are doing.  Some also ask questions or ask for help on a certain subject.  If those questions or subjects pertain to what you are selling or have to offer, you could easily make a sale.

In keeping with the above mentioned example of selling pet supplies, do you run an online pet store?  If so, you may sell a wide range of pet supplies.  By finding other members of Twitter who are pet owners, you stand to make a profit.  For example, did another member send an update saying “My dog ate my new pair of sandals.  This is the 3rd time it has happened.  I am so frustrated!”  This is your perfect opportunity to mention a dog obedience training book or video you sell.

Online, you will find many people that outright advertise they have a product or service to sell.  Yes, it is possible to do this, but you may be classified as a spammer.  For that reason, it is best to use replies to your advantage.  For example, you may already know that you can use affiliate websites and Google Adsense to make money online, but this is something that people learn each day.  Someone may send a message saying “I want to make money with my blog, but it just isn’t working.  What am I doing wrong?”  If you are a web content writer, this is your chance.  You can offer a response similar to “I am a professional web writer.  For an affordable fee, I can write a few blog posts for you or show you how to make money with your blog.”  Since you are responding to a Twitter, your post seems more helpful and less like spam.

As a recap, the best way to use Twitter for internet marketing to increase your sales is to doing so subtly.  For that reason, use @replies to your advantage.

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Do you want to use Twitter as an internet marketing tool?  Whether you want to market a website, blog, product, or service, you will do so with updates.  These updates, also known as Tweets, are where you will highlight what you want to bring attention to.

Before you signup for a free Twitter account and start sending messages, it is important to understand Twitter.  For starters, messages should be under 140 characters.  This means that you need to master the trade of being short, yet right to the point.  This may require some practice, but it is important.

Next, it is important to understand what Twitter is used for.  Yes, you are using it for internet marketing, but not everyone has the same goals.  For that reason, explore the Twitter website.  Visit the help section, as well as Search.Twitter.com.  This gives you the opportunity to search for sample Tweets.  See how others format their messages, what they have to say, or what they are looking for.

Before sending Tweets, otherwise known or messages or updates, you need to have followers.  These are members who will read your messages.  It is easy to add and search for your friends and family online, but this will not help if your goal is internet marketing.  Instead, search for who will buy what you have to sell.  These are members of your target market.

As for how you can search for your targeted market, use online message boards.  Ask around for Twitter exchanges.  You follow a member and receive their updates and they agree to do the same.  Also, visit Search.Twitter.com.  Look for those who could be customers of yours.  For example, do you sell a dog obedience eBook?  Look for posts that signal a pet owner.  You can make contact and join their list of contacts.  Remember, many will return the favor.

Once you have registered for a free account and developed a fan following, you can begin to send updates.  This is when you can use advertising.  With that said, remember discreet is the best approach to take.  Straight up advertisements may leave those on your contact list feeling used.  People use Twitter to socialize and make new acquaintances, not to be bombarded with advertisements.

So, how do you advertise a product or service, without really doing so?  Try asking for feedback.  Do you sell pet products?  Ask followers on your list for feedback on your website layout or a particular product you sell.  Include a link to your website.  This accomplishes the goal of generating traffic.  Not only that, your Twitter followers will feel as if you care and value their opinion.  And, if someone like what you are selling, they will make a purchase.

Another way to disguise your advertisements on Twitter is to offer promotions or incentives.  For example, do you have product samples available or can you offer a discount?  If so, extend this offer to those in your Twitter contact list.  Making this offer exclusive takes it a step farther.  Include the offer in a Tweet update, but be sure to state it is only extended to Twitter followers.  Yes, this is an advertisement, but you are offering an incentive.  Plus, your Twitter followers will feel honored that a special offer was extended to them.

Now that you have a few ideas on how to disguise your advertisements on Twitter, it is important to know why.  Internet users use Twitter for a wide range of reasons, but being bombarded with advertisements is not one of them.

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Twitter logo initial
Image via Wikipedia

Are you an internet marketer?  Although you may not technically be employed as one, it is one of the many hats you will and should wear when working online.  Do you run a website or blog that sells a product, service, or generates income through affiliate links?  If so, you must double as an internet marketer.  Why?  Because marketing is vital to your success.  After all, you will not generate income if consumers do not know you exist.

If you are new to internet marketing, you will turn to the internet for research.  You will get many great ideas, including the use of article directory back links, buying advertisements on other sites, exchanging banners with other webmasters, and search engine optimization.  These are important internet marketing steps, but to maximize your results, think outside-of-the-box.  When you do, you will find Twitter.

Twitter is a social networking micro-blog.  Users can communicate with each other through updates, also known as Tweets.  Many Twitter members highlight their daily activities, but many also use updates to generate traffic to their websites or blogs and to increase sales.  Straight up advertisements are allowed, as long as they do not qualify as spam.  With that said, many find the best approach to be taking the roundabout way.  If your sell a product or service, drop hints and highlight what you do or what you sell.  Be sure to include a link.

As nice as it is to hear that you can use Twitter for internet marketing, as a newbie, you may have a few questions.  Continue reading on for answers.

Question:  Why use Twitter for internet marketing?

Answer:  The better question should be why not.  There are over 75 million members on Twitter.com.  You will not communicate with all members, but it gives you an amazing opportunity to meet and network with others.  By playing your cards right, you can find your targeted market.  For example, do you work as a freelance web designer?  If so, your target market is those who want to make money through affiliate links or business owners who want a professional website.

Question:  How much time does Twitter take?

Answer:  It all depends.  Like any form of internet marketing, the time and energy you put forth depends on you.  With Twitter, you want to take it slow and easy.  If you create too many messages directing your followers to products you sell online, your messages may be considered spam.  For that reason, send a few Tweets a day.  Since Tweets are 140 characters or less, this is easy.  The most time consuming part of Twitter is finding and adding contacts.

Question:  What can be marketed on Twitter?

Answer:  Just about anything.  As previously stated, it doesn’t matter whether you sell a product, a service, or if you generate income through affiliate links, you can market yourself on Twitter.  You can do so by sending carefully crafted updates.  @replies can be sent to members on your list or those you find on Seach.Twitter.com.  Look for members that ask questions you can answer.  Always provide a link to your website or blog.

Question:  Won’t people turn away from advertisements?

Answer:  Yes.  As previously stated, you want to carefully craft your Tweet messages and @replies.  Don’t just say “Come shop at my online store.”  Instead, send messages stating that you updated your store, got a new product in, or ask for feedback.  Always provide a link and those interested will click, but without feeling forced into doing so.

Question:  How much money can I make using Twitter?

Answer:  It varies.  Twitter is a service that is free to use.  You are not paid for using it, but there is income potential.  The first step is driving traffic to your website or blog, where you sell a product, service, or have affiliate links displayed.  It is, however, important to have something good to sell.  No matter how much traffic your generate, poor quality products and services will not sell.

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Are you new to internet marketing?  If so, you may be looking for a crash course.  Online, you will find a lot of information on using article directories, banner exchanges, and search engine optimization to market your business website.  Yes, these are all effective approaches, but consider the unconventional approaches that aren’t always discussed in great detail.  One example is Twitter.

Twitter is an online social networking community that is user based.  Members create a free account, develop a list of contacts, and then send and receive messages.  Responses are sent with the use of @replies.  These messages are 140 characters or less in length.  They are sent through various avenues, including some mobile web applications, RSS, Facebook, and the Twitter website.

At first glance, Twitter looks like nothing more than a common social networking website.  Yes, it is, but there is more to this popular service.  Remember, it can be an effective internet marketing tool.  You can advertise your website, blog, products, or services in messages known as Tweets.  You can create interest and clicks with catchy Tweets and links.

Do you need more reasons to implement Twitter as an internet marketing tool?  If so, continue reading on.

1 – It is Easy to Join

Joining online programs and communities should be easy, but it isn’t always.  You will not have this problem on Twitter.  You register for a free account from Twitter.com.  Next, you provide your email address and create a username and password.  It is really as simple as that.  In fact, you do not have to wait for a confirmation email to get started!

2 – It is Popular

With some internet marketing methods, you are lucky if you reach a thousand internet users.  You will not have this problem on Twitter.  Why?  Because there are over 2 million members!  Yes, you will not communicate with all of these members, but this is a huge audience for you to gain.

In addition to finding contacts, members will find you.  If you set your messages to public, as opposed to private, they will not only be sent to your followers, but appear on Search.Twitter.com.  This means that other members can read your posts and opt to follow you.

3 – It is Easy to Find Your Target Market

Marketing online is a great way to increase your earnings potential.  You will find the best success with finding your target market on Twitter.  These are individuals who will buy your products, buy your services, or visit your website or blog.

An easy way to get started is to post link exchanges online.  Visit message boards and ask for Twitter contact information.  Also, visit Search.Twitter.com.  Here, search for Tweets that are related to your blog, website or the products or services you sell.  Send a reply.  If possible, incorporate a link.

4 – It is Easy to Market Yourself

As previously stated, incorporate a link into your Tweets.  Do this when applicable.  Instead of sending advertisements, take the clever approach.  Answer the Tweet question by staying you are updating your website or processing sales and provide a link to your website.

5 – Twitter is Free to Join

Since Twitter is free to join and use, you have nothing to lose.  There are no investments required and no risks are assumed.

As you can see, there are five great reasons why you should use Twitter as an internet marketing tool.  In fact, the better question would be why not?

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