Webmaster Forum - Social Network Marketing http://www.v7n.com/forums/ Social networking discussions. (Facebook, Twitter, Digg, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc) en Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:50:55 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.v7n.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Webmaster Forum - Social Network Marketing http://www.v7n.com/forums/ Twitter Lists - Reputation Management Problems http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/158323-twitter-lists-reputation-management-problems.html Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:44:00 GMT Michael Gray of Graywolf's SEO Blog has conducted an experiment showing how the use of Twitter List can produce a reputation problem.

This only proves that you have to be on top of your reputation management.

What are you doing to manage your reputation on Twitter and other social networking sites?

Do you check what Twitter lists you are on? ]]> Social Network Marketing htmlbasictutor http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/158323-twitter-lists-reputation-management-problems.html Social Network Marketing Meets Small Business http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/158151-social-network-marketing-meets-small-business.html Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:51:20 GMT In mid-June, when computer maker Dell announced it had earned $3 million in revenue from using... In mid-June, when computer maker Dell announced it had earned $3 million in revenue from using Twitter, a popular micro-blogging site, the Internet and blogosphere were all atwitter about the news. Finally, proof that social media had the potential to not only increase traffic but also sales. Though as Dell was quick to mention, it took 18 months to make that first million via Twitter, albeit only six to earn the last.

While Dell is a large corporation, with revenues of more than $61 billion in 2008 alone, smaller businesses – significantly smaller businesses – can also benefit from using Twitter as well as other forms of social media, such as Facebook and MySpace. It also includes blogs, particularly community blogs aimed at entrepreneurs, like The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, which features hundreds of small business owners every week and sites like Help a Reporter Out (HARO), which links businesses with journalists for free. (Think of it as PR 2.0.)

That’s because unlike traditional PR and advertising, which can be costly, the main cost associated with social media is time, not cash (though this may be changing, thanks in part to success stories like Dell’s). And any business willing to spend some time on social media/networking sites, building a community or fan base can benefit.

That’s the beauty of social networking. “It levels the playing field and provides small business owners another platform or medium to leverage from a marketing perspective,” said Scott Bradley, a social media strategist who runs the blog Networking Effectively. “Social media also fosters closer and better company-customer/prospective customer interaction – call it Word-of-Mouth 2.0” – than do the more traditional print advertising and PR he said.

To find out how small businesses are using social networking sites and tools to market themselves and to build better relationships with their customers, we spoke with three retail business owners. While their products and audience may differ from yours, their tips and advice regarding social media can be applied to any business.

Old-Fashioned Boutique, Modern Marketing Strategy

The James Store is a 63-year-old clothing boutique located in Granville, Ohio. With its charming brick façade, big bay window and colorful awning, the store seems the product of another time. And in many ways it is – or was, until just a couple of years ago. That’s when the James Store set up shop online and shortly thereafter began using Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to attract new customers and “build relationships and communicate with customers both locally and around the country and the world,” said Peter Morse, the James Store’s marketing director.

“So many people use Facebook every day that it seemed important for the James Store to have a presence there,” explained Morse. “It wasn’t exactly clear how we’d use it initially, but it seemed like only a matter of time before it was widely adopted and the value became apparent. In the meantime we began building a fan base. And our customers (who love our store and are very loyal) happily become fans.”

The James Store rewards its fans by offering store coupons that are only available via the company’s Facebook fan page. “It drove new fans to our Facebook page – which in turn drove foot traffic to the store,” said Morse.

As for Twitter, the capability to instant message store updates to customers and followers in real time appealed to Morse, and he’s been using the service to alert customers to sales and specials.

“Recently we tweeted about a sale on Vera Bradley handbags. When Vera Bradley retires a handbag style, they discount the price – and many people wait for the day this occurs to get a deal,” explained Morse. “When we tweeted about the sale, we received phone calls from customers from all over the U.S.”

Moreover, every time the James Store posts a new tweet, it automatically becomes an update on the store’s Facebook fan page, driving even more traffic to both the physical and virtual stores.

“The reaction has been great,” said Morse. “Facebook keeps the store feeling up-to-date. And we have found these social media tools to be more effective than e-mail in getting out the word about sales and events – and much cheaper as well.”

Twitter’s Gone to the Dogs

The Nauti-Dog Company, a small two-year-old retail dog-apparel business that sells both direct/online and through select retail outlets, started off using traditional print advertising and PR. And for the most part, Nauti-Dog Founder Nate Staples said they were breaking even or better on their investments. That is until the economy tanked.

As a result, Nauti-Dog slashed its advertising/PR budget by 80 percent and turned to Facebook and Twitter to help get the word out – and realized a 50 percent increase in direct orders. “Getting a mention on Twitter triples our Web traffic and increases sales,” said Staples. And Nauti-Dog experienced a similar bounce from being on Facebook, where it, like the James Store, has a fan page.

“Facebook and Twitter really allow us to quickly reach out to not only our existing customers but to potential customers with promotions, product releases and news,” said Staples. And it’s a lot cheaper than traditional print advertising and PR.

However, just being on Facebook and Twitter is not enough, he said. You have to actively engage customers and offer them something of value, which could be a coupon but could also be something fun and memorable.

For example, every month Nauti-Dog features a Dog of the Month (wearing a Nauti-Dog collar or piece of apparel), which is chosen from customer submissions. In addition to posting a picture of the pooch on its Web site, Nauti-Dog posts it on Facebook and then tweets customers “that another Nauti-Dog has joined the pack.” Fans and followers re-tweet or e-mail the news with their friends and followers, who often wind up visiting Nauti-Dog and making a purchase.

Nauti-Dog also uses Facebook and Twitter to alert fans, followers and friends to Nauti-Dog events, such as its Dog Beach/Street/City Walks – and offers them free product if they use the code phrase, “Is that Nauti-Dog Sampson?” A charismatic black lab and Nauti-Dog’s chief executive dog, Sampson has a thing for tennis balls and is the voice (at least on Twitter) of the company.

Picture-Perfect Social Media Strategy

HoodiePeople.com, a startup e-commerce retailer selling premium branded hooded sweatshirts, officially launched in September 2008. But it had a blog, a Twitter account and a Flickr photogroup up and running two months beforehand. That’s because the founders of HoodiePeople understood the power of social media/networking and felt it would be “a great tool for building awareness and buzz and sales,” explained Co-founder Hasan Luongo. Moreover, “we are a bootstrapped company, so the free marketing tools and massive audience available via social media has been a huge help to us.”

That’s why soon after officially launching, HoodiePeople had Facebook and MySpace pages, too.

Just eight months into its social media experiment, HoodiePeople had more than 600 Twitter followers, 658 MySpace friends, more than 300 Facebook fans and 262 people in its Flickr group – and was generating a fair amount of buzz and sales. And the company is constantly coming up with new ways to use social media to its advantage.

“The most effective marketing method we have done so far on Facebook is to use our friends as models for our hoodies then post those pictures to Facebook and tag them in the pictures,” said Luongo. “Photo tagging is a huge viral hook on Facebook because the pictures are published to the news feeds of all their friends. So it’s a great way to reach new people in a very engaging way. Each time we post pictures of a new model our fan and page views numbers jump significantly.”

HoodiePeople uses Twitter to let followers know about specials, new products and cool hoodies. Case in point, the Hoody Dealz of the Week, where the company selects one hoodie, marks it down by as much as 60 percent, and offers it for one week only or until it sells out – “a great way to clear our slow moving items.”

HoodiePeople posts the Hoody Dealz of the Week on its blog (another important social tool), Twitter, Flickr and Facebook, as well as featuring it on the homepage, and “it’s been very successful,” said Luongo. “People love to spread the word when a killer deal comes along, so we get some re-tweets and people blog about it.”

As for advice regarding how to best use social media and networking tools, Luongo said, “If there was a golden rule of social media it’s ‘be authentic.’ Small businesses especially have a huge opportunity to really stand out among larger competitors by using social media as a channel to express their voice and engage with their audience. An authentic voice in a crowd of corporate marketing is very attractive to buyers.”

However, he cautioned business owners to be careful about crossing the line between connecting to customers and spamming them. “If you bombard them with sales and marketing stuff they quickly loose interest.”

Added Nauti-Dog’s Staples, to be successful on the social media sites, “you want to resonate, not dominate. It’s not about beating your message into people over and over again. It’s about connecting with them on a more intimate, social level. The social media world is like a big small town. Good news travels fast, bad news travels ten times faster. So you need to be mindful and make sure you’re really providing something of value to your fans and followers.”

Source: http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.co...0731_3828291_1 ]]> Social Network Marketing CyberWizard http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/158151-social-network-marketing-meets-small-business.html what is social media optimization http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/158006-what-social-media-optimization.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:07:04 GMT Hello Dear webmaster i am some confuse about the social media optimization how can i get more stuff... Hello Dear webmaster i am some confuse about the social media optimization how can i get more stuff kindly describe your views i will be so regard able of your views so many many thanks..............





best regards
[REMOVED] ]]> Social Network Marketing ankitraghav http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/158006-what-social-media-optimization.html Other ways to use social media http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157804-other-ways-use-social-media.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:01:35 GMT Most of the posts that I see here about social media concentrate on the usual sites such as... Most of the posts that I see here about social media concentrate on the usual sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Digg, Twitter, etc., but there are other opportunities out there that are hardly ever mentioned.

I happen to belong to a very popular forum concerned with gardening. I have been an active member for several years and at this point I actually have had other members ask me to post links to my websites for the benefit of newer members!

I am posting this because there may be quite a few people out there who have just never made the connection between their private hobbies or interests and a possible marketing technique. If you are already a valued member of some online community, you may well be able to introduce your business in an unobtrusive way and reap the benefits of "social media marketing" while you indulge in your favorite on-line recreation. ]]> Social Network Marketing firecat http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157804-other-ways-use-social-media.html are you using social media websites http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157666-you-using-social-media-websites.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:26:31 GMT I just want to ask why so many people now a days using twitter and facebook whats the reason behind... I just want to ask why so many people now a days using twitter and facebook whats the reason behind this because i have joined and don't know whats its main aim to join this social networking site is there any special features we get or just there are so many member are there that's why we have to join.:) ]]> Social Network Marketing webrecsol http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157666-you-using-social-media-websites.html How to Utilize Twitter/Facebbok/Linkedin Profile in Blogs? http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157488-how-utilize-twitter-facebbok-linkedin-profile-blogs.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:09:13 GMT Can anyone tell how social networking sites like facebook, twitter, linkedin etc can be utilized in... Can anyone tell how social networking sites like facebook, twitter, linkedin etc can be utilized in the blogs of our websites.

How they can be more effective in creating wide social networks?

Are there any ways to get popular very fast? ]]> Social Network Marketing SBwebx http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157488-how-utilize-twitter-facebbok-linkedin-profile-blogs.html Social Bookmarking Tools and Duplicate Content Question http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157192-social-bookmarking-tools-duplicate-content-question.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:31:36 GMT I am beginning to think that Social Bookmarking tools like OnlyWire and AddThis are more of a... I am beginning to think that Social Bookmarking tools like OnlyWire and AddThis are more of a problem than a help.

I often notice my social bookmarking showing up in SERP results....but for only one site...whether it be Redditt, Digg, Stumble, or jumptags.

If you mass submit the same bookmark....does Google treat them all as duplicates?

Would you be better off making a unique bookmark by hand at each social bookmarking site? ]]> Social Network Marketing rookiethomas http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157192-social-bookmarking-tools-duplicate-content-question.html User Twitter Lists to build your personal brand http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157068-user-twitter-lists-build-your-personal-brand.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:55:10 GMT If you are a personal brand, or are looking to build your personal brand, you can use Twitter lists... If you are a personal brand, or are looking to build your personal brand, you can use Twitter lists as well. Here are some easy things you can do to get noticed.
Twitter Lists ]]> Social Network Marketing ashley1 http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/157068-user-twitter-lists-build-your-personal-brand.html New Orkut http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156888-new-orkut.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:19:23 GMT So now the New orkut has launched in the market . I have got the invitation and has started using... So now the New orkut has launched in the market . I have got the invitation and has started using it. Looks like a copy of facebook more ajax based , have some new features.
How many have started using it. Just now they have make strategy of Sending Invitation for start using it.
What all you say about the new orkut??? ]]> Social Network Marketing ashley1 http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156888-new-orkut.html what Phrase That Attract In Twitter http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156775-what-phrase-attract-twitter.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:03:36 GMT what Phrase That Attract In Twitter ? to post in twitter have a limit words.What sentences/phrase... what Phrase That Attract In Twitter ? to post in twitter have a limit words.What sentences/phrase of post that will stand out -really works for promotion and get more visitor to our website/squeeze page.

sometimes i really dont know what to post in twitter LOL. ]]> Social Network Marketing raysonng http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156775-what-phrase-attract-twitter.html Social Networking Question: Lists of CMS for Social Networking Sites http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156731-social-networking-question-lists-cms-social-networking-sites.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:18:10 GMT Hello guys,

I'm just wondering, Does anyone of you here have a list of CMS sites aside from ning.com, socialgo.com who are hosting Social Networking sites.

Hoping for your quick response in this matter. Thanks in advance. ]]> Social Network Marketing leahmarie http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156731-social-networking-question-lists-cms-social-networking-sites.html Does creating an application in facebook help? http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156335-does-creating-application-facebook-help.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:51:26 GMT Hello I just wanted to know that if I create some application in facebook will it help me... Hello

I just wanted to know that if I create some application in
facebook will it help me increase the traffic to my site?

Thanks ]]> Social Network Marketing virtualmisc http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156335-does-creating-application-facebook-help.html Have You Optimized Your Social Media Marketing? http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156219-have-you-optimized-your-social-media-marketing.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:27:16 GMT There are zillions of social networking sites to join (and keep up if you have joined a bunch) as a... There are zillions of social networking sites to join (and keep up if you have joined a bunch) as a way to promote your website, business and/or blog.

Do you find that you are spending way too much time on these sites? Are your getting a return on your investment (ROI)?

Quote:
...if not channelled correctly can cost you valuable time from your work day. Are you prone to trying out the next new social site without having any goals or aims in sight?

If you are, then you need to consider how much time you're putting into Social Media Marketing (SMM) and what you're getting out. If your ROI is small then you need to optimize your SMM....
Continued: Social Media Optimization: Optimize Your Social Media Marketing

What are you doing to optimize your social media marketing so you aren't wasting away your day on these sites? ]]> Social Network Marketing htmlbasictutor http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156219-have-you-optimized-your-social-media-marketing.html How to make a button at youtube video http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156150-how-make-button-youtube-video.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:17:55 GMT Hello, Please help me I want to start video promotion at youtube. can anyone tell me how to make... Hello,
Please help me
I want to start video promotion at youtube. can anyone tell me how to make a button with external link at videos??? as sometimes we see "Subscribe button"
& links

any special tools for youtube????? ]]> Social Network Marketing iBusinessArena com http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156150-how-make-button-youtube-video.html orkut http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156011-orkut.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:05:48 GMT how to take a photo through orkut acc. in other pc????:feedback: how to take a photo through orkut acc. in other pc????:feedback: ]]> Social Network Marketing seofriends.dave http://www.v7n.com/forums/social-network-marketing/156011-orkut.html