How Social Media Marketing Can Make You Money

Using social networks for marketing is not just the latest trend; it's a method being intricately woven into the fabric of business and society. Every day, thousands of people are opening new Twitter or Facebook accounts. Businesses are noticing this and taking note of it. This article can help you learn some tips that can get you going with social media marketing.

Facebook users with smart phones can "check in" through Facebook Places when they visit a properly set up business. Get people excited about visiting and shopping at your Facebook Place by offering discounts for everything from an updated status to a share or like. Foursquare is another popular networking site that can help you to promote your business.

Share updates of influential users of Twitter or try mentioning them in posts by having their usernames placed after the "@" symbol. These people will get a notification and will probably re-tweet your post or answer to what you said.

When trying to get the word out through social media, it is usually best to keep your messages short and succinct. Short and simple witty messages are easily remembered and forwarded. Judicious use of images can really reduce the amount of text that is necessary. One way to promote your new social media is with the use of promotional products at events your business is represented at.  Gear your promotion toward the internet, something as simple as a flash drive can be used as a promotional product to increase your social media awareness.

Run tests of all your marketing and media techniques and offerings before you go live. This is the best use of your preliminary setup time. Even in the time after an official launch, continue experimenting elsewhere with various ideas until such time as you are matching your goals. This will stop you from inadvertently posting information that will make you look bad socially and harm your business.

Isolate your business oriented Facebook page from your own personal Facebook profile. You do not need your customers looking at any games or personal activities you may do on social media. If your name is associated with your business, try using a nickname for your personal Facebook page so your followers, customers or clients will not be able to link the two.

YouTube is a great way to target a large audience through social media marketing. YouTube can be a an effective way to attract site visitors, as they will already know a bit about you when they view the videos you have uploaded to YouTube. The more you inform visitors before they visit your site, the more your sales will increase.

Try using Twitter and Facebook to advertise limited time offers and coupons. Allow enough time for customers to take advantage of these offers, but also try to convey a sense of urgency. If someone misses out because they weren't paying attention to your announcement, they will likely be inspired to pay more attention in the future. Mention this on your website to get more people to subscribe to your updates.

To track down your most influential followers in Twitter, use Twellow or Tweepi. Programs such as these are used for finding the lists the majority of people pay the most attention to. This will also give you the name of the person that is in control of the list. Use this information and send messages to these users inviting them to subscribe to your lists.

By interacting with community members of the social networks you have joined, you can learn a great deal about your potential customers. Consider that such communities and their members serve you better as research resources than as advertising targets. Find out what they enjoy and do not. Learn what their habits are too. This will let you better understand them, and how you can get connected with them.

This article has discussed how your business can benefit from the recent popularity of social media websites. If you put the tips in this article to use, you will definitely see the beneficial impact social media marketing will have on your company's sales. Your hard work will open doors to millions of possible clients, which mean your revenues and profits, will go up, as well.

Watch Your Business Grow With The Use Of Promotional Products

How does a company put promotional products to good use to help grow their business?  Here are a few marketing and sales ideas on how you can make the most of promotional products for your company.

·         Company Logo Apparel – Wearing your company’s logo on your apparel increases visibility.  Logo apparel can be used as part of a uniform or to boost company moral used as incentive gifts.  It is also a unique way to provide a united look during corporate outings such as company sponsored golf outings or to company picnics.

·         As A Gift For Purchasing – This is a very effective strategy to increase brand recognition and in turn sales.  Promotional products can be purchased to be used as an incentive if an item is purchased.  Car dealerships add incentives all the time. If you purchase this car before the end of the month we will throw in a car caddy. The caddy is then used in the car, keeping the dealership top of mind.  Another thing promotional product incentives offer is something free with an immediate incentive if purchased immediately. 

·         Mail Incentives – Direct mail is not always the most effective promotional tool especially when they go unread because of lack of interest to open.  However paired with a promotional product that adds interest to inquiring minds wanting to see what is included, direct mail techniques can be effective.  When an envelope arrives at our house with a surprise inside we rip it open.   Everyone loves free stuff and when it is useful it’s even better.

·         As A Way Of Saying Thank You – This works for customers, clients and employees.  Corporate apparel with the company logo embroidered on it is a terrific way to thank someone for a job well done, for making a large purchase or for giving you a deal on supplies.

·         Tradeshows and Giveaways - Promotional items are a terrific way to get your company name out at tradeshows.  One popular method is offering a logo branded item that is larger for a raffle or drawing.  This does two things; gets you names, addresses and phone numbers on the raffle ticket and help create suspense and interest.  Along with this use fun trade show promotions for people to use and enjoy.  Something simple like a pen or a magnet will be used and will keep your corporate name in eye sight.

·         Sales Calls – It is nice to have something to offer once you have met with someone to discuss your business and what you have to offer.  Traditionally business cards are left.  Why not use some type of confectionery treat behind to say thanks and to keep your visit fresh in the clients mind and set apart from other sales people he has visit.

·         Sporting Events – A 5k or fun run event is the perfect place to show your support for the community while offering a useful item for participants.  Water bottles, head bands, first aid kits, sunscreen or bug spray are all promotional products that fit the event, are useful and get your companies name in the hands of participants.

Choosing The Right Promotional Product For Your Company

Are you a business owner?  Have you ever thought about using promotional products to represent your business?  Are not sure what promotional items would best be suited for your type of business?  While there are several thousand terrific products to choose from, not every item is right for every business.  When considering your options take time to analyze your customers and exactly what would be the most effective promotional product to use to keep your company logo top of mind at all times.

Below are some examples that will help you on your way to choosing promotional items that you work to market your company in the most effective way:

If you are in a field such as insurance, banking, finance or any position that focuses around an office then products and services would benefit from promotional item that are used in an office.  Office supplies can range from pens to calendars.  Consider items such as sticky-notes, planners, magnets and unique office accessories.  This type of promotional gift will be appreciated by employees and important clients.  These promotional products will be appreciated and useful.

Another popular promotional gift used to market a variety of businesses if reusable bags with your company logo embellished on the outside of the bag.  Bags can also store hidden goodies from your business such as magnets, pens and pads of list paper.  These are all perfect items for the consumers who will be using your reusable bags at the store most often.  Busy eco-conscience mom love free goodies and a reusable bag will keep your company logo in the eye of the public as well as this individual consumer.  This is a true double duty promotional tool for companies.

Clothing with your firm’s logo is a great way to show employee appreciation and promotion for customers.  Promotional logo clothing should be reserved for situations where you can afford to supply free clothing products which can be a pricier promotional product to consider as an option.  These items are best used sparingly for free giveaway prizes at trade shows, golf outings and company picnics.

If your company is in the home construction, home sales, appliance business or something of that nature than promotional household items will be a great advertisement for your company. For instance, if you are a general contractor and have just finished a job a promotional item such as a bread carving kit or knife set would be appropriate.  It is useful for their home and in direct line with the service you provided for them. 

These are just a few ways in which promotional products can be utilized in advertising your company. The ultimate decision for the promotional item best suited for your company is determined by the need and budget that is set.  Promotional products can be purchased with every budget and industry.  Another consideration is the occasion that you intend the product for.  Picnic events for employees may get by with fun, plastic Frisbees but will not be well received in corporate gift baskets.  Take some time and determine the right combination of promotional products for your company logo to adorn. 

Promotional Items That Work Well To Support Your Business

When looking to advertise for your company there is many avenues that can be sought out.  Of course traditional methods are tried and true however simple, boring and the same old thing are.  What do you do to spark new interest?  During corporate events, company picnics, trade shows and even for holiday gifts clients, new and old are looking to see what you are offering that is unique and new.  Proving to them you are still in the game.  Many companies are looking towards a variety of promotional products and gifts to promote the business. 

Choosing promotional items for a company is a difficult challenge to say the least.  It is pertinent to offer something that is useful to the client and provides a benefit to them as well as to increase the awareness they have with your company. As with anything there are individual pros and cons to each chotchkie item.

Many companies will choose to advertising using food products.  This is especially appropriate ate golf outings, corporate picnics and for holiday gift giving.  The nice thing about offering a food item is that the price level you desire is often easy to match.  For instance, offering a packet of gum with your logo advertising the company is inexpensive and will be enjoyed by individuals after they are finished eating.  The nice thing is that later when they reach for another piece after the event is over they will again remember who supplied it.  If you have an increased budget, baskets of coffee or fruit make a nice offering at a higher price level.  It is easy to stick with in a budget even for a large amount of clients.

The drawback to food items are that they often perish reasonably fast.  This limits the amount of time clients will be exposed to your company advertising product.  Another thing to consider is the ever abundant food allergies and clients with special dietary needs.

Another often thought of item to use for a promotional product are things that offer a utility purpose.  This could range from a pen, a reusable bag, insulated lunch carrier, a calendar or a simple mug.  The benefit of these items is their longevity. Clients will see your company advertisement over and over without a sales person being in their face.  These simple items are things people will use day in and out which in turn become more free advertising for you.

The drawback is that the item could end up in the hands of someone who is not responsible for decisions that could lead to business for your company.  These promotional items really only end up working as company advertising if the person using it is the one that will be a future decision maker to send business your way.

A new recent category that has come about in promotional advertising is items for the office.  These items include unique USB drives, adhesive notes and mouse pads.  With the range of products with in this category it will be for sure that one of the items will fit within your company’s budget for promotions.  This is an advantage for companies of all sizes seeking to advertise. This has become a popular promotional category therefore the major drawback is that these products may already be overwhelming the desks of the clientele you are seeking.

The business advertising and marketing of companies is such an important division within a company.  The choices made will affect the perception of the clients.  It is important to keep your companies name and logo top of mind to clients.  You want to be the first person they think of when your industry is brought up and they seek support.  This will lead to relationship building which will grow bringing referral business for decades to come.