Most businesses in today's world need to create an online presence. This online presence is often not complete without the implementation of two of the most powerful networking tools, Facebook and Twitter. These social media sites allow business owners to foster deeper friendships with current or potential clients.
Facebook has three primary ways of interacting with clients: "friending" people, fan pages, and groups. Friending allows you to network in a more laid-back atmosphere than the typical business world. Fan pages and groups have many similarities but are still markedly different. Fan pages often contain things such as newsletters, questions and answers, and special deals. They need no moderation and are ideal for many time strapped business owners. Groups, in contrast, require a bit more hands-on maintenance. A group tries to bring like-minded people together and encourage discussions amongst them. Both groups and fan pages, however, focus on developing friendships.
Twitter has many similarities to Facebook. Both focus on social networking. Twitter however, strips Facebook down to the basics and asks one question, "What are you doing right now?" Businesses can use Twitter to keep clients updated about products and events. Also, they can use it to see what's new with their associates or clients.
Many businesses underrate the usefulness of both Twitter and Facebook, viewing them as purely recreational; however, in the hands of savvy businessmen and women, they are powerful marketing tools.
insidecrm.com
This site is an excellent resource for all things about Facebook marketing. Although it offers very little information of its own, it contains valuable links, making it a go-to reference site. Links cover things such as advertising, social marketing tools, free marketing opportunities, how to choose the right demographic for your marketing, small business strategies, how-to guides, and pitfalls on Facebook.
insidefacebook.com
Inside Facebook is a blog put out by Inside Network, a company specializing in business information and market research for Facebook. It helps business men and women keep their cyberspace fingers on the pulse of Facebook marketing. For example, it updates its followers, namely developers and social networking entrepreneurs, on changes in Facebook applications and policies. In addition, the site informs users about the dangers as well as the opportunities of Facebook marketing.
facebook.com
Facebook's official advertising page educates the Facebook user about the effectiveness of different advertising and marketing options available on Facebook. It gives an overview of Facebook ads, tells the user how to prepare for creating these ads, then gives step-by-step instructions on creating an ad, and finally, ends with case studies showing the success of these ads.
twitip.com
This post, from the website Twit Tips, gives 10 hints on marketing yourself on Twitter. The author promises that if you follow her ten tips for "micro-blogging" on Twitter you will be sure to notice an influx in the amount of people following you on Twitter. Although the rest of the site doesn't relate specifically to marketing a product on Twitter, it contains tips for the Twitter user and may be of interest.
