You’ve got a business—now you need customers! While there are many ways to market your business, one of the best ways is through networking. Networking is a marketing method that also brings traffic to your website. More traffic equates to more potential sales. Networking is a personal way to get more business, and best of all—it’s free!
Networking isn’t as hard as people may think. There are many methods you can use to get your business name out there in front of people. Many of these methods are easy to utilize and can provide you with a big payoff. The goal of networking is to reach as many people as possible. To do this takes some time and patience, but the rewards can be amazing.
First, get leads
You need to get business leads—people who will visit your website, take an interest in your product, and hopefully make a purchase. Leads can be tricky to get. You can purchase lead lists. However, these tend to be somewhat unreliable and generally not worthwhile. The best way to get leads is to gather them from people who already have shown an interest in your site or your business. Use these leads for further marketing, including e-mails and newsletters. These help to reinforce your business and keep it in the mind of the recipient. When they need your product in the future they will remember your business and visit your website.
Build lists of the right people
Lists are an important part of your marketing campaign. But you don’t just want lists of anybody. You want people who have already shown some interest in your type of product. A great way to get names on your list is to have a sign-up on your website. Have site visitors sign up for a newsletter or for future mailings. Reward those who sign up with something such as an informational e-book or a coupon for a discount on their purchase. Sending regular newsletters and mailings to people on your list is an important way of online marketing and can really boost sales.
Self promotion—be an expert
Every day millions of people log onto the Internet, and most of them are looking for information. People want to get information from people who are experts in their field—people they can trust to provide accurate and interesting information of value to the reader. When you are an expert others will be clamoring for your information. First, provide plenty of high-quality content on your website. Give people something they can take away and which will whet their interest to return. Write and post articles about your area of expertise. Post articles to online e-zines. Give speeches or seminars to instruct people in their areas of interest.
Social media networking
One of the best ways to promote your business online is to use social networking sites. These sites are the latest way to network on the Internet. Use sites like LinkedIn to list your business—it’s a great way for people to find you. Facebook is another social networking site that you can use to showcase your business. Post informational videos to YouTube to attract people to your site. The latest in the group of social networks is Twitter. Use Twitter to get followers who can then view your website. The key is to tie everything together and to use all the available online resources to promote your business. Use the friends and followers from your accounts to add to your lists.
Blog your way to fame
Blogging is a great way to network online. Millions of people read blogs every day. The best blogs are those that offer some interesting information and are freshly updated on a regular basis. If you provide this you will surely get a steady and faithful following. Add a link to your blog on your website and vice versa, and soon you’ll be getting many more hits on your site. Be sure to update your blog often to keep people coming back. If you don’t have time to write blog posts use an online marketing service to assist you. Keep blog posts short, easy to read, and interesting.
Join forums
Forums provide a way for people with similar interests to communicate online. There are thousands of forums of many types online. Forums require listening to what others say and joining in on the posts when you have something important to add. Look for forums that are most closely related to your business and area of expertise. Join as many as you have time to review regularly, and add your own comments. Don’t simply post your website address on forums, since this will surely get your posting deleted. Instead, provide honest and genuine help and expertise when appropriate.
Offline networking
Networking should also be done offline to promote your business. Wherever you go, you always need to be thinking about networking. Keep a stash of business cards with you at all times so you can hand them out. Make sure that your business cards are up to date and contain your website address. Attend functions with networking in mind. You never know when you may meet someone who is interested in your business. Join local organizations that pertain to your area of business. This can be a great way to network with others in a similar field. You’ll be able to learn from others and get ideas that you may not have thought of on your own.
Get to it!
Networking is a great way to promote your business. Don’t underestimate the power of networking to bring more customers to your site and boost sales. Use as many of the techniques as possible to produce more and more interest in your site. Most, if not all, of these are free to use, costing nothing more than your time. If you need additional help, hire an online marketing assistant to help you. –K.S
http://www.thealimagazine.com/networking-boot-camp
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