What Are You About?

Years ago, businesses began when someone brought a product to a viable market and essentially put an "Open" sign on their front door. While the basic premise is still the same, the world has gotten much larger. "Market day" is every day, all day; passersby are identified by hits and clicks, and your display window has evolved into a Facebook page, website, and Twitter profile. Your audience is as large as your searchability is optimized.

In yesteryears, people bought and sold with you because you were part of their village, tribe, or area. They knew you, your friends, your parents, probably your grandparents, and your lifetime reputation. You were well-established. In today's world, people still buy on reputation. In fact, it is just as important to have a history of well-written blog posts than it is to have an "Open" sign on the front door of your shop. Positioning yourself so Google can find you keeps your place in the line-up of vendors in a global marketplace; ensuring your profile is complete and up-to-date aids people in taking steps to research you and your business. The more people can legitimize who you are and what you do, the better off you will be.

What have you done to make sure people know who you are and what you are about? Is anyone talking about you in their social media circles? Is your business easy to find on the internet? When was the last time you filled an order from halfway around the world?

Are They Listening to You?

Rumor has it that social media is gaining in the "white noise" label. Instead of providing followers, likers, clickers, and engagers with inspiring, upbeat, exhilarating content and satisfaction, it's starting to become the doleful, sad-eyed, here-we-go-again obligation. With so many people engaged so often and so much in social media websites, we all feel like we need to show up. Unfortunately, this party isn't fun for everyone anymore.

As a business, this means you've got to step up your game plan. It's time to explore strategies that won't land your messages in the totally-tuned-out stream. It all comes back to giving your listeners value. Here's some tips to get your marketing campaign back on the right track:

1. Know your audience. This is nothing new. Business 101 that you should have taken and mastered years ago. Know the likes, dislikes, habits, affections and longings of your target market. Do what it takes to find out what they want, when they want it, and how they want it.

2. Know your social media sites, and what people use them for. Do you really  need a presence on Twitter, Facebook, Stumbleupon, Evernote, Pinterest, Digg, Flickr, and every other "sharing" site out there? There's something to be said about getting your name and brand known. There's also something to be said about ineffective investment of time and money, as well as knowing how best to reach your target market. Do your homework and find out which road is the best road for the street signs you want to put up.

3. Give your audience value. Now that you've got their attention, give them something worthwhile. There are thousands of blogs, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and even good old email newsletters to be had out there. Why does someone want to tune in to you? Because it's worth their time to hear what you have to say. Keep it interesting and worthwhile, and they'll even come back for more.

4. Be real. Telling everyone that you have the greatest product in the world is no longer the way to have them believe that and buy from you. You have to prove yourself. Which means being honest, real, and trustworthy in all the interactions you have with clients and customers. They need to believe in you. This is the reason you don't hire someone to run your personal social media profiles. It has to be you. If you need a profile for your company, create one that is seperate and easily identifiable as being a company profile. But don't expect that to be nearly as successful as your personal profile. Nobody wants to talk to the gatekeeper - they want the real story from the horse's mouth. Give it to them. Take the time to let people know the person behind the product.

5. Use strategy. Again, this is nothing new. But lots of businesses seem to think that having a social media presence is enough. It's not. You're only part of the white noise if all you do is exist on Facebook and occasionally Tweet something that you think is interesting. Social media is, after all, a "social" thing. The idea is engagement - getting in on conversations, joining groups, and becoming a voice. Find your target market and engage them. Join relevant groups and lead relevant conversations. When someone is interested, know how to help them find out more about you and your product. Have a plan in place and a strategy in mind.

A World Without Facebook

I had my first dose of social media education when I undertook training to become an ActionCOACH, and have since learned a lot about the power of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other giant social media engines. For those of you that still wonder if a Facebook page is a good investment, take a look at the infographic that Soshable posted. Suddenly it becomes painfully clear that social media is a huge part of our everyday lives.

The impact of social media hit home to me the day I connected with an old friend. We hadn't seen or spoken to each other in several years, but connected on Facebook and began exchanging messages. The result was an opportunity to meet in person and catch up. It was a real pleasure - life has taken us down different roads, but the values and knowledge that brought us together initially are still the same. We enjoyed great conversation and discussed our varying experiences in the business world and in our personal lives. One end result was two people that are better people for having known and interacted with each other. That is what social media is all about.

Today, more than ever, we have the opportunity to seek these rewarding relationships on a global basis. Whether you are simply looking for conversation, seeking advice, or wanting friendship; whether you are campaigning for a cause, broadening your customer base, or expanding the reach of your advertising; whether you are researching new ideas, products or methods: whatever demographic you belong to, social media has something to offer. Take the opportunity to expand your opportunities, and log on.