As an internet marketer, you already know how important it is to build and maintain relationships. Whether it is with industry peers, partners, customers or vendors, your success is largely dependent upon the communication and trust you establish with others.

Social media is the newest way to market your business online through building and maintaining relationships. It’s a growing industry, and one that continues to drive business online with every friend request, every connection and every tweet that spans the web. If you are not already utilizing social media as a means to market your online business, you are missing out on a huge, no-cost advertising opportunity that will not only grow your business, but will allow you to build long-lasting relationships that will take you and your profit margins to the next level.

No matter what outlet you use or what social media circles you join, the key to making your efforts a success is consistency. First, you absolutely must be consistent; Consistent in conversation, in posting, in replying to messages and updating your information. While social media may not cost you a penny, it requires a major investment –time. If you think you can get by with a weekly status update or monthly tweet, you are sadly mistaken. You will need to create a conversation as part of your internet marketing efforts. Involve your circle and interact in such a way that let’s others know you want them to hear what you have to say and assure them that you are equally as interested in what they are doing as well.

The bottom line is you get what you put in. Social media can prove to be an extremely lucrative opportunity for your online business and as an internet marketer you need all the help you can get, right? So why not take advantage of this free advertising opportunity to not only grow your business, but help establish yourself as a trustworthy voice in a variety of online circles? It will help you gain credibility, clients and ultimately, cash.

But selling via social media is tricky. You will have to find that delicate balance between an informative and sales-y approach. If you go too far down either path, you will completely alienate your social media community. Be careful not to offer dry, irrelevant information that will not interest others in you or your internet marketing business while at the same time, try not to pitch your product or service so much that you turn people off. Be sensitive to the language you use and pay close attention to what others in your industry are saying. Although they may be the competition, you can learn a lot from them when first starting out in social media.

And finally, remember that you will have to follow others if you want them to follow you. Much like the time commitment, you will only get what you put in. If you follow a lot of people (and by the way, make sure they are relevant to your industry either as peers or potential customers) then they will return the favor.

Now get out there and be social!