Social media marketing (SMM) is a form of internet marketing that consists of word of mouth marketing through the use of various Web 2.0 channels. These channels consist of blogs, micro blogs, social networks and media sharing (video, photo) websites to name but a few. The focus with social media is always about trust and relationship building. Did you know that you can use a social media marketing strategy to increase the traffic flow to your website and other online profiles?
SMM can focus on securing targeted traffic to your website from sources other than search engines. Social media is giving people a solid reason to visit and link to your website and blog if you are focused on publishing unique and relevant content that your targeted audience will find valuable. Links from various social media channels back to your website is an important aspect of SEO and it helps your content travel.
Social media marketing vs traditional marketing
SMM is very different from normal traditional marketing methods. Social media is all about interacting and engaging with targeted audiences by building trust, relationships and publishing interesting content online. It is never directly about selling, though people do prefer to buy from others that they trust.
You can use various social media strategies to build your reputation and brand online. Always try to brand yourself as a leader when you are engaging with your network online. Your brand is what you represent, your connection to others and what you care about. You must be the persuasive and unique voice in you niche. Your goal is to create a cultural following.
Social media interaction
Your network and social media participants can interact with you and learn about your services and products in the process. Social media uses the sharing of content such as RSS feeds, sharing buttons, polling and user rating systems and integrating rich media functionalities like videos and images. Sharing is made easy by adding sharing options and buttons along with your content.
You can combine social media marketing with your SEO campaign to bring targeted traffic to your website. This is a great source of targeted traffic other than the search engines.
