This week is the continuation of Web Marketing Basics, part 2. Now that you have your new website launched, you’ve announced it to all the world (see part 1), the next consideration is to: 

2. Enter the world of social media.

Social media is what you do online to connect to your target audience. Specific examples of “what is social media” are: Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and Foursquare. Other examples would also include blogging, posting articles online to sites like Ezine or the Examiner, joining online networking groups such as Biznik or Meetup. 

The benefits of social media are many:
-It is accessible to everyone (as long as you have a computer and an internet connection). 
-It allows you to directly communicate, market to, and have a dialogue with your audience. 
-Its far cheaper than traditional marketing strategies such as print and TV. 
-It is an effective way to stay engaged with your clients, and customers who stay engaged stay loyal. 
-It can potentially improve your SEO ranking (more on this to come). 

The downsides to social media are:
-It can take up a lot of your time. 
-It opens you up to receiving negative comments or reviews, which you would need to tactfully manage.

Despite its downsides, social media is where marketing is going. Even if you’re reticent to take the plunge, just getting your business a Facebook page, or to start blogging is a good way to start. 

Please feel welcome to share any of your experience, ideas, woes, or successes with social media. We can all learn from each other!

Tune in soon for the next installment of web marketing basics!