Can you name a social media application other than Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook? If you can’t, you’re missing some great online opportunities to engage customers and build your business.

Social media offers easy access to prospective customers in specific target markets. But “social networking” is a broad term – it’s used to describe online communication between users that share similar interests, but it extends far beyond Twitter accounts and LinkedIn profiles.

Consider using a variety of social media channels to connect with customers, develop networks, generate leads and position your organization as an industry leader:

• Find Out What They REALLY Think

Message boards and comments pages, both within your corporate website and those maintained by third parties, are a goldmine of customer opinions that can transform your business. Regular monitoring can gather vital information related to products and services, overall company perception, and suggestions for improvement. You also have the ability to see what’s on the minds of your competitor’s customers!

• Connect Online – In Real Time

Webinars – online meetings or presentations with visual and audio components – help you interact with customers and deliver value-added information related to your products and services. Avoid producing a sales-pitch “commercial”; stick to advice, tips or research that solidifies your business’ position as a leader in the field. Invite current customers and prospects to join a live presentation and then add the materials to your website for future reference.

• Increase Your Network

Publishing value-added information online, beyond your corporate website, increases online presence and attracts new business. YouTube is a great outlet for corporate videos and presentations, while blogs, online trade publications and article-sharing applications such as Digg it! and Stumble Upon are a good choice for reports, white papers and case studies. These applications target potential customers with common interests and make it easy for them to pass content on to their colleagues and connections. Keep materials informative and well branded with links to your corporate website where potential customer data can be captured.

• Be The Go-to Source

Join the social networking community by having employees contribute to third-party message boards and forums directly related to both your business and their areas of expertise. Many sites offer the opportunity for users to ask questions and get feedback about products, problems and industry issues – position your business at the forefront by showcasing expertise in solving key customer challenges!

Explore the range of social networking opportunities available to build new customer relationships, increase market intelligence and enhance current customer relationships. For advice on how your business can capitalize on social media marketing to build competitiveness, contact 5th business today!

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 1:49 pm and is filed under 5th Insight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.