What is Social Media Marketing and How is it Different
Than Traditional Marketing Strategies?

Now that our new president elect in place, many experts
refer to some of his followers as Generation “O” because
Obama reached out to new constituents using the power
of social media marketing.

Marketing is no longer a one-way conversation.  Consumers
are talking back in record numbers and giving their opinions
on everything.  From politics, to music to what they buy and
who they buy it from.  Almost anyone can now produce and
publish articles, pictures and video and send it out to a
global audience within a matter of seconds with the simply
“push of a button” and for zero cost!

Social media marketing is a method of promoting your brand,
product, service or company by making your presence known
via a variety of social media networks.

Social media marketing is much more viral than traditional
forms of marketing because users now become content producers
by posting blogs, writing articles, leaving short comments
and messages. This relatively new marketing allows you
to enter the minds of your consumers and prospects and
have a real conversation and/or tell them a story about
your company, products or services.

The bottom line is that consumers trust referrals from
friends more than they trust advertising.  In this case,
friends are those they’ve met and built a relationship
with within their specific community or network.  And even
though they’ve never met, a bond and level of trust has
been built up over time and multiple interactions and
“conversations”.

Social media websites are changing where consumers are
getting their information before, during and after they
buy products and services.  According to a 2008 Harris
Interactive Poll, 54% of Americans do not trust the media.
In a different study conducted by Nielson, 78% of survey
respondents said they trusted, either completely or somewhat,
the recommendations of other consumers.

To learn more about social media marketing go to
http://www.IncreaseSalesWithSocialMedia.com

To your continued success,
 
David Carleton
President, Street Smart Sales And Marketing

http://www.StreetSmartSalesAndMarketing.com