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How to Use Social Media Marketing to Connect

twitter-vs-facebook2I’ve got a Twitter Account…

I’m on Facebook…

I don’t really get StumbleUpon but I signed up…

Now What?

I get this social media question a lot and have attempted to give some StumbleUpon suggestions.

First I want to define what social media is according to Wikipedia:

Social media are primarily Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings.

Here’s a better definition of social media marketing:

(SMM) is a form of internet marketing which seeks to achieve branding and marketing communication goals through the participation in various social media networks.

You can read the definitions, study the books, and have a small understanding about what social media marketing IS, but now you have to break the “newbie ice” and JUST DO IT!

Gary Vaynerchuk, one of my favorite keynote speakers, talks in this video about how to use social media marketing to it’s fullest:

Now go “shake a lot of hands”, build friendships, be “social”, and GET OUT OF THE SIXTH GRADE for crying out loud!

photo courtesy of Trevor Mauch

24 replies on “How to Use Social Media Marketing to Connect”

I think the Social media you use depends on the type of site you create, Facebook has had better advertising potential for me than Twitter, although I do find twitter successful for somethings.

I agree, each social media platform performs a different function. However, like Gary said, they are all there to do one main thing, SOCIALIZE!

If I make efforts to connect with the big names in the specific industries that interest me, all kinds of things can happen.

Blog Guest Posting, for example. As I connect with big names via these social networks, opportunities have opened to guest post on their sites. This has happened because of Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, and Digg contacts/follows.

The key is to Test, Test, Test!

Thanks for the comment Jordan!

You couldn’t have said it better; the best way to figure out how and what social media is, is by jumping in and getting your feet wet. It’s kind of like going to a party where you don’t know anybody; you may start off slow and tentatively ask people a question or two, but once you see how helpfull and verbal everybody else is you’ll be off and running.

Which ones have worked best for you and why?

Twitter has probably been my best overall for connecting with the right people, sharing links for traffic, and building brand awareness.

Thanks for the comment.

Hey Nate,
This may sound very basic but you are used to that from me ;). Can you explain how to actually share links and so forth on Twitter? It says in da rules that you can’t use html in your posts but I see otherwise. At this point all I can do is follow people– I’m sure this would benefit a lot of your readers who may actually be as tech challenged as I!

Thanks as always!! 🙂 Lisa

With Twitter links, just copy the URL and paste it in the 140 characters of space. If your URL is way too long, you can go to http://tinyurl.com/ to shorten the domain name and then copy and paste it in the section.

I use a program called TweetDeck.com. This makes it easy to post links, pictures, and follow lots of people but also group your friends.

Hope this helps!

LOL! Here are my top 5 Social Networks, in no particular order:

– Twitter (networking & brand management)
– Facebook (networking)
– Stumbleupon (link building & brand management)
– Friendfeed (brand management)
– Linkedin (brand management)

What networks have helped you most?

[…] Facebook is one of the best ways to connect with your target audience.  Creating facebook groups, facebook pages and friends can prove huge dividends if you are consistent and not afraid to network. […]

“Get out & BEE Social!!”<~Beautiful Phrase!

I have all 3 Twitter, Facebook & StumbleUpon.. I like all 3 for different reasons
Twitter: Is my Real Time Social Updates.. I <3 connecting with people throughout the day. I love when I can help answer peoples questions, because I get my questions answered all the time! Down to the latest updates on what electronics to buy. Twitter is an ongoing conversation that you can jump on or jump out of anytime..

Facebook: I use mostly to connect with my family & close friends.. I don’t like adding people I’ve never met & if I did it would be another Myspace (Which I hate & only go on to check out bands music).

StumbleUpon: I used lots more before I found out about Twitter. It’s good for sending/sharing your things to the world.. It’s all in the power of the “Thumbs up!”

I love being Social & these things like Twitter & Facebook have allowed me to be more social than I ever could by meeting one on one. It allows me to carry on with my life & meet some really Awesome People.. so I agree BEE SOCIAL!!!

Great comment! It’s true, each social network has its “special purpose”. The main reason I like Twitter so much is for the social interaction and answers to questions. StumbleUpon is great for link building (I’m getting in to Reddit more too).

Facebook is a combination plate, especially if you use the right applications. All my Tweets automatically go to my Facebook Status – some might not like this but I just suggest they take me off their friend list then :). I’ve also got all SU favorites posting to my wall of Facebook. My favorite part of Facebook is probably the Group function, especially to build a network in specific industries.

Thanks again for the comment. Make sure readers follow @hOneyb (it’s a zero, not an O)

Nate…I understand what Gary is saying in the video, but there are those of us that find it very difficult to join the social world. I am definitely an introvert and can totally relate to standing in the corner of a room and simply observing what is going on in the room. Joining Facebook and getting connected with social media is going to be out of my comfort zone, but I will certainly give it a try.

I’ve got the accounts set up for Facebook, Twitter and Stumbleupon. Just need to learn to get the most out of them. What if I’m happy in 6th grade?

I’m just a beginner in this whole social media networking. I was a little bit sceptical at the beginning but once I created my facebook account I was shocked how many people where actually looking for me and wanted to add me as a friend. I do believe that ones I have everything running it will absolutely benefit my business. It is really about being nice, socializing and shaking hands. Sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone but at the end it is worth it.
Nice post Nate 🙂

Hi Nate –

I just listened to the replay of your SMM class and followed your link over here. Thanks for all the good info. Wish I could have participated in the live feed and seen the glace parts of the class. But it was still very informative.

Anyhow, why is it that in just a year and half your top 5 social networks have changed? In Feb. 2009 you included linkedin and friendfeed. Now these 2 have been dropped in favor of youtube and flickr. Did your industry flow that quickly to those to networks or why the change? Just curious.

Terri

Hey Terri!

Thanks for the comment!

I still use Friendfeed and LinkedIn quite a bit, it really just depends on what for.

Here are the ones I use actively TODAY:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Stumbleupon
  • Sphinn
  • Flickr
  • Youtube
  • Feedburner
  • Friendfeed
  • LinkedIn

There are other social networks that can be industry specific. Political social networks, Clogging Forums, etc.

Hope this helps!

Nate Moller
MollerMarketing.com

Hi again Nate –

Hey, I’ve got one more question for you. Well, I may have a few more, but more for the moment. How on God’s green earth do you keep up with all those sites, do your regular job, have time with your family and a bloody life (and hopefully sleep at some point)? I’m just a bit curious.

Thanks!

Terri

Not sure I know how to really answer that question, as it’s 1:20 a.m. right now and I’m working on social media stuff.

One of the best answers is that you get a job where you consult others on how to do things like this. That way you have an legitimate excuse to be working on things and testing things all the time.

Another solution is that you outsource some of the interaction as the business begins making a profit.

This is yet another reason why the direction you choose to go in your first online business better be something you would do even if money weren’t an option. It turns in to a hobby that starts bringing in the “Benjamin’s”!

Hope that helps some!

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