No, this is NOT going to be “the” answer to the subject “How social media really works” — only one, but an interesting one.
I just met freelance copywriter David McCauley via LinkedIn when he responded to my post How to increase blog readership. Now we are connected on both LinkedIn and Facebook, and we’ve begun to support one another’s efforts. David’s website Passionate Copy contains articles on business topics from lead generation to marketing via email, video and SEO. Check him out, but first read his Guest Post, which suggests how to best get noticed by paying customers.
Plan for the right discussions if the “payoff” is your goal
Guest Post by David McCauley
Shari –
Your article brings up great advice on blogging, and it reads quite well. The only thing I would add (even blogs like pro blogger miss this one):
“People need to be seen in their Target industry — not Career industry — in order to get noticed by the right ‘paying’ audience.”
Does this make sense?
For example I belong to several copywriting and Social Media groups (my career groups). I constantly see “Experts” talking/promoting either SEO, Linkedin, Blogging or Social Media advice and services.
Unfortunately, they are doing it to each other. What they see is a group like eMarketing or Social Media Marketing that has 310,000+ or 160,000+ members, and start to market their services to those groups.
What ends up happening is that they get caught up in discussions that talk about what Expert or SEO really means, which is fine, if you are trying to learn or have a lot of time to waste.
This is where the problem is – everyone is struggling to market to each other, and no one is listening – or buying.
If one is going to be marketing such services, pick a niche or two that actually needs help, say dentists, veterinarians, sporting equipment marketers, etc. Join those groups if they are business oriented.
If they are private groups then make sure to explain that you are joining to learn more about them and possibly assist them in learning more about Social Media, Blogging, etc.
More than likely group access will be granted. If denied, just move on to the next. Once in, then one can start the process of networking, becoming involved, and getting followers that would eventually become ‘paying’ clients, by following advice you have in your article.
If a person is struggling to find a niche, just write down the top ten hobbies they are interested in, research those groups to see how many marketing directors/ business owners are in those groups, then join if it is a business oriented, move on if it isn’t.
Bottom line – don’t be afraid to get out there. We all get too comfortable in our own environment, but sometimes we don’t realize that our hobbies are as much part of our environment as are our careers.
**
NOTE: David responded via this LinkedIn post:
- Group: Social Media Marketing Mavens
- Discussion:If you blog, how do YOU get readers?
If you are a social media maven, please join us there. We may not “pay” you, but we can share valuable info, and of course support your efforts.
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!
Social media is a powerful tool in getting people to know about your site. Most people do not know how to maximize such sites and I am glad you shed some light into this area.
Hi Shari, you have hit upon a subject that I have given thought to but do not have a solution for.
Lots of internet marketers, including myself, have many social media accounts and religiously share our, and other marketer’s, information on them.
What concerns me has always been how many “real people” apart from internet marketers ever get to see them.
Trevor, your concern is REAL. The answer is ENGAGEMENT. If you want to build a business online, the “secret” key is building relationships and that takes effort. It is not automatic. IMHO, nothing automatic is genuine — and thus — of little if any value. If we are all posting automatically, then who is there to read your material.
This is solid advice for anyone looking for basic advice about social media. It covers all the basics without getting too in-depth about any one thing.
Actually, Genda, there’s more “solid” advice that covers all the basics in my article Simple Answers to Six Basic Social Media Questions.
Hey Shari! Thx for your feedback on my comment, and I think you shouldn’t ask you a second time if it’s worth to keep up the content here… IT’S DEFINITELY WORTH IT!
Let’s keep connecting and building a community around you… You never know which opportunities are just around the corner with the next comment or the next share… Always expect the unexpected. All the best, Alex
Hey Shari, great to be on your site again! As I can see you have fun keeping this site up and running with brilliant content. WOW, what David shared there on LinkedIn is a simple nobrainer, but often overlooked (as mentioned). Thx for getting this out to us in such a manner! Being able to recognise the obvious is the path to success… Thx, Alex
Interesting, Alexander, that you should write that it’s great to be on my site again. Same here. I had a month long period where the school semester was ending and I realized I hadn’t posted anything new. So I’m working doubly hard to keep the new content flowing. THX for being here. 🙂 [PS I even questioned keeping it up at all. But now I know exactly why I do: (a) it keeps me learning, (b) sharing, (c) making/keeping friends!
Brilliant. Like so many great ideas it is so simple yet overlooked. Thanks
You are most welcome, Ethan.
Check out David’s website. He knows what he’s talking/blogging about.
🙂
I find that planning posts based on google trends topics that are related to my topic are usually a good way to get an extra burst of traffic and viral abilities. Thanks for the info!
Trudy, what a great idea. THX for adding to the convo.
Extremely good point.
I think you should join a few groups in your particular niche to keep up with what’s happening but the big point is to move into the world of your potential customers for serious networking.
One piece of advice though, which is true of all networking – don’t start off with the hard sell.
Get to understand each group, make useful comments and make sure you make sensible responses to anyone discussing the topics you have as your expertise. A few helpful posts in the network and people will remember you and seek you out.
Paul, I’m doing an “informal” poll on who uses [reads or posts] the PROMOTION tab on LinkedIn. What say you?