Social media networks have grown faster than any other form of technology in existence. Millions of people use these social network websites daily. Even on the go, people have the ability to update and stay updated on the latest news from friends and family. They use this ability to talk about all sorts of things including their experiences with different products and services.

Statistics show that 78% of customers believe the recommendations of people that they know. Only 14% believe advertisers. These numbers show just how fundamental proper social media marketing is to the advertising industry.

Social media marketing can be utilized by just about every company in any industry. However, there are a few exceptions. Promotions, sales and branding can bring consumers right to your door. Additionally, the word of mouth that you receive from customers can gain you more business than any other form of advertising in existence. However, making your company’s presence known on social media sites is a very time consuming commitment. This is why outsourcing your media presence is one of the smartest business moves you can make.

Outsourcing your media presence to either a freelancer or an advertising consultant can keep your employees from spending valuable time updating your company’s social media sites. Because of the need for your company to monitor this regularly, in order to have someone from your company manage your social networking sites, they would have to dedicate their entire work day to this task.

Utilizing social media marketing is something that your business cannot afford to miss out on. Your company, by social media marketing, has the ability to draw in consumers and monitor the word of mouth that is being transmitted by these sites.

The Secret Truth About Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is one of the hottest new ways to market your business. However, there is an untold truth about social media sites. This truth, if left unrevealed, can leave your business rowing backwards in the world of social media, never seeing the returns you had hoped for.

Social media sites are intended for social networking. This is a place where people want to feel safe. Every moment of their day, they are bombarded with commercials, jingles, billboards, sales associates and junk email. The last thing that they want to do is talk to a sales person on a social media internet site.

On social media sites, the principal goal is building relationships with people who have the same interests. These interests are what bring people together on social sites. If your company is only focused on the temporary results of increasing sales through sales tactics, two things will happen. At best, you will spend a lot of wasted time on reaching your target market to only achieve short term sales increases. At worst, you will irritate people and push them away. This will result in your efforts being ignored and your profile possibly being removed from the social network web site altogether.

If, instead, your company focuses on building relationships with people, leaving info about your company in a subtle way that doesn’t feel like a sales pitch, people will come to your company because they trust and value you. The idea isn’t to sell your product or service. The idea is to sell you!

Understanding the untold truth behind social media sites can mean the difference between gaining or losing consumers. Abusing social media sites for the purpose of sales will produce negative results. If you focus your time on social media websites on building relationships rather of selling your product, then your company will reap the benefits that social media sites have to offer.

Do you use social media? How vital do you think is social media networking in promoting your business? Drop me a line and let me know.