Facebook and Twitter, are you on board?

In the last few months I’ve read many LinkedIn discussions, blog posts and articles regarding social media marketing and how to use it for business. I currently use both Facebook and twitter to micro blog about things that are going on in my business, trends in apparel decoration and new and interesting products in the promotional products industry. While I haven’t had any formal training in this new social media realm, I have found that the sites are pretty easy to use and since they are free to use the investment is only a few minutes of my day. I also find it easier to micro blog than post a few paragraphs on this blog every few days (as you can probably tell since I haven’t posted in months).

There are plenty of naysayers and cynics who are concerned about whether this exposure in Facebook or twitter will bring them any real business or not. Some have the "social" part confused with dating, hooking up and match.com (and I can't for the life of me understand why the confusion there).

For me it is not whether I get new business but rather enhancing the relationships that I have made through conventional face-to-face networking, which I really enjoy. Social media marketing does not replace face-to-face networking and I would probably never do business with someone who I met on Facebook or twitter without meeting them in person first. I prefer to conduct business locally; however I have clients in all parts of the country. Most of my out of state clients were referred to me by current local clients.

There are some marketing professionals who have concentrated in this area of social media marketing and educating business owners how to use this media. When I have questions regarding Facebook or twitter my “go to” expert is Kimberly Yow. I met her at my BNI Poway networking group and she is successfully helping clients with their marketing challenges and furthering their education. Her website is http://marketingthatseasy.com/ and her Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/SocialNetworking4Biz

Kimberly has taken on the challenge of keeping up with the latest marketing trends and continues to expand her knowledge. If you have any questions regarding using Facebook, twitter or LinkedIn for business I highly recommend you contact her through her website. And please don’t forget to tell her that Lorraine sent you!

For more information regarding promotional products or corporate apparel call Lorraine at 858-565-2963 or lorraine@rainpromos.com