How Can I Use Social Media to Grow my Business?

Throughout our lives, we have all had to learn new skills.  Once that “light-bulb” moment arrives and we finally understand how to do it, it becomes easier.  We then perform that skill repeatedly until it becomes second nature.

Learning how to utilize the marketing power of Social Media is no different. I remember well when a friend suggested I begin using Facebook and writing blogs.  My first question was, “What would I write about?”  It was challenging at the beginning.  I did not think anyone would care what I had to say.  I was surprised and pleased to find they did!

If you are new to internet marketing industry, there are a few things you need to know…

1.     You can only truly learn how to proceed on social media by doing it.

No matter what you have read or how many other networkers have helped you, you will actually begin participating and posting to understand completely.  You will learn once you join a few sites, i.e. Facebook, Twitter and IBOToolbox, and comment on others’ posts and begin sharing your own stories or information.

2.     It may take a while.

Once you are participating regularly on various forums and other social media sites, do not expect that you will suddenly see results.  Sorry folks, but you likely will acquire few or no friends or connections or make any sales during the first few days, or even weeks.  It takes time to build your internet presence and gain followers and friends.  Social Media marketing is actually relationship marketing.  I have seen people become successful after it took them three months before their first sale.  .

3.     Do not become discouraged.

It is common and quite easy to become disheartened when you spend hours on social media sites and no one connects with you.  First, your posts and blogs will improve in time.  The more you participate, the more skilled you will become.  The more skilled you become, the more people will notice and connect with you.

You must KNOW that you will grow your internet presence as time goes on.  Do not allow yourself to become disheartened.  Your continued momentum forward will serve you well.

4.  Read others’ posts and blogs.

Part of your learning process should include reading lots of blogs and comments.  By doing this, you will learn how other people post and what they write about.  It will help you see the myriad topics about which you can write.

Social Media marketing is not a quick process, but once you gather followers and connections, you’ll be happy with the results.  Be persistent, diligent and patient.  If you are, it will be well worth the time and effort you invest.

Are You Truly Striving for Success?

Since you are reading this post, you already know that online marketing is powerful.  If you are consistently using online marketing for your business, after you have been doing it a while, you will begin generating leads who contact you! 

Attraction or Relationship Marketing is vital to generating leads.  Among the many ways to generate leads online, I find blogging to be the most effective for growing an online presence.  Each blog posted remains online forever.  It costs us nothing but time to write and post a blog.   

Here are a few other tips about home businesses and online relationship marketing.

·        Don’t “Hype” your products or opportunity or include your business in everything you post online.  When you go into “selling mode,” it is natural for people to tune you out or resist.  Let your posts tell readers about you, not only your business. 

·        Demonstrate your knowledge by including value in your posts.  Value in your posts is important because people buy from those they know, like and trust.  Prospects should see you as a leader.  If you are seeking team members, you want them to appreciate that you know what you are doing and have a vision for success.

·        Understand that most people will not join or buy your products.  Build your relationship with them anyway. You never know who they know who may be interested in our opportunity. 

·        Don’t ever give up! Entrepreneurs face challenges whatever business they are in. You may have periods when you are earning no money. It happens. As an entrepreneur, you are stepping out of the average person’s lifestyle of working 40 hours a week for 40 years.  You are working to build a better life.  Don’t procrastinate; work your business every day – even if only for 10 minutes; and never quit! 

·        Persistence is crucial.  To succeed with any business, you must be persistent, consistent and patient. It may take months or even years.  Will you resist the urge to give up after a short time because your business isn’t growing as quickly as you want?  Are you convinced that you will succeed, whether it is next week, next month or next year? 

·        Do you have an overall strategy for achieving your long term goals?  The big picture includes putting a plan into action to achieve a successful result.

·        If you are working your business only “when you have time,” you likely are not working it very much at all.  Even if you have an outside job and/or children at home, create a work schedule that establishes when you will work your business. Building a successful business takes sacrifice.  If you have to give up your favorite TV show to work your business, isn’t it worth it to reach your goals? 

We have all read blogs about building a home business, but each one has a slightly different perspective and presents them differently.  I hope that at least a couple of these tips will be useful to each of you. 

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