Social Media and Internet Marketing 

Marketing ADvisor, David Russell of AM 580 WDBO is joined by special guest Gail Monclove, President of Rental Home Management Services, Inc., to discuss social media and internet marketing.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERNET MARKETING

We are all familiar with one-way marketing such as, placing an ad in the newspaper or sending out direct mail pieces.  But today consumers want a two-way street.  Social media allows us to have that two-way converstaion with consumers.

"How do you get started in social media?"

SOCIAL MEDIA SITES:

• Facebook: 500+ million users.  Nowhere else can you reach so many people at one time.
• Twitter
• LinkedIN
• Myspace

"Social Media is no longer just for college kids!"

• Facebook has the largest group over age 35
• LinkedIN's median age group is 40
• Twitter's median age group is 31

HELPFUL SOCIAL MEDIA BOOKS:

• Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff.  Explains what social media is and how it spreads.
• Twitter Power: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time by Joel Comm
• Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin.  Explains the importance to lay out a program.  You need a strategy when you start in social media.

BLOGS

One of the most creative ways and one of the medians you can really be passionate about.

The Social Media Marketing Industry Reportby Michael Stelzner states:

• 64% of marketers use social media tools only 5 hours/week.  Not as time-consuming as many think!  You don't have to spend a ton of time to make it effective.

"Opportunities that Arrise with Social Media"

• Social media and blogging gives you a chance to explain and educate people about your company or business.
• Social media helps you build relationships with consumers (current and potential).
• Allows you to communicate directly with consumers.
• 81% of marketers grow their business through social media.  Low cost and effective way to market your business.

"Biggest Things to Avoid with Social Media"

• Social media is networking--building relationships.  Make sure you're letting consumers know about you and building relationships!
• Don't overdue your expectations.  It's going to take some time to get a following, but it will come if you just do it!
• Know who you are trying to reach!  Look at demographics and reports of visitors of the websites.

As Gail Monclove, President of Rental Home Management Services, Inc., explains of being on the internet and social media sites, "It is not a choice anymore; It's a must."

Contact the Marketing ADvisors at 321-281-2011 or email the MarketingADvisors@WDBO.com to receive free advertising, marketing, and promotion advice.