Setting up a strong web 2.0 marketing program takes some groundwork while the first stage of keyword research is being performed. Namely, making sure the online business has complete profiles on the top three networks, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Anything not completed, needs to be finished. The next step is to communicate with employess how important they are, that means employees who visually state employment on their profile need to be active, engaged, and posting content that meets your professional standards. Employees are ambassadors of your brand and can influence, both positively and negative, on the company's brand image.
Nearly one-third of all LinkedIn profiles don't have a profile picture. Any company profile or employee profile on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter needs to have a picture, and not just so people can see your pretty eyes. Social media has already gone through a few cycles of scams, and the lack of a profile picture is a red flag that a scam may be hiding behind a friend or LinkedIn request. If you don't feel comfortable using your own photo, use your company logo or picture of something professionally relevant to your position.
Spread your media message by taking your press releases, news, white papers, and any other content your company and aggreat it on your company website and via online services, such as Delicious (www.delicious.com), Digg (www.digg.com), Reddit (www.reddit.com), and StumbleUpon (www.stumbleupon.com).
Use these top networks to get your company news out. This includes blog posts, white papers, press releases, or other relevant news. Closely monitor how people are responding to your content – retweets, or replies on Twitter, and sharing on Facebook and LinkedIn. Actively engaging with your social media audience is one of the fastest ways to turning clients and customers into raving fans of your business.
That is a straightforward way to implement social media into your company's marketing mix. Think of social media as a new and innovative tool for your company's continual improvement plan – just like any new tool you might adopt to building your business. Social media might feel like a fad, but it is truly a trend that is shaping how we use the Internet in the future. A future your business wants to be relevant in.
