Social Media is any online platform where people can connect, have conversations and then build relationships.
After those relationships are built you can then use those platforms to market your products and services online.
Marketing on the Social Networks uses the model of "Word of Mouth Marketing" which is the most successful form of marketing there has ever been.
Word of Mouth Marketing works because people are 3 - 4 times more likely to buy something from someone they know, like and trust than they are to buy something after watching or listening to a traditional marketing message.
Social Media Marketing is Word of Mouth Marketing on steroids! Question #1 - Are you passionate about your products and services? Social Media Marketing is built on the model of Word of Mouth marketing so it really only works well when you are selling something you are truly passionate about.
When you are passionate about something it is not chore to talk about it.
Conversation is an important part of a successful Social Media Marketing plan.
Question #2 - Do you have a true desire to help others with your products and services? When you truly desire to help others it shows and the people you have relationships with online will feel your intent.
You also won't resent the time you need to spend explaining how your products and services will help others and your passion will be infectious.
This will make you memorable.
If your friends and fans need what you are selling it will be an easy sell because they will feel your passion.
If they have friends or fans that need to find out about you them will pass your message along.
Question #3 - Do you need a way to show case your products and services to a larger audience but you don't have a lot of money to spend? Social Media is perfect for businesses that have a small advertising budget.
Most campaigns can be started with very little cash.
After your sites are set up and optimized you can maintain them yourself so the cost is not in dollars but in time.
Then later when you become too busy to handle it all on your own marketing you can hire someone else to handle those tasks that can be outsourced.
Question #4 - Do you hate to sell but know you must make sales to survive? The old saying goes "we love to buy but we all hate to be sold" and that is never truer than when we are trying to sell our products and service using the Social Networks.
The power of Social Media Marketing is in the fact that first you create a relationship with people in your target market and then provide them with relevant and useful information.
If they need what you are selling they come to you "pre-sold" because they already know the value you bring to your market.
This makes it the perfect platform for you if you are offended traditional forms of marketing that rely on hype and over-inflated promises.
Question #5 - Are you often offended by traditional forms of marketing? The world is changing and many people are offended by the traditional marketing model.
They hate the hype and in your face sales tactics.
Most people now belong to at least one Social Network such as Facebook and they are less and less tolerant of businesses that do not want to engage with them on a more personal level.
Even big corporations such as Dell, Starbucks or South West Airline are finding out the benefits of actually creating a connection and having conversations with their prospects and customers.
Social Media works great for them and it can work even better for entrepreneurs and small businesses that are more suited to creating personal connections and who ready to change quickly to meet the needs of their market.