How An Amateur Profits From Social Media Marketing

I have to admit, I was not too keen on getting on the social media train when I first began to get wind of it back in early 2008. In fact, I resisted it for quite some time.

I was having decent success with my existing strategy of networking, speaking engagements and client referrals.

As social media has been rapidly gaining momentum, it has become an important part of many small businesses’s marketing strategy. More and more businesses small and large, are actively engaging many social media platforms as a way to reach new and existing customers.

After doing some research myself, watching others participate and learning a little more about how to go about using it, I began to open myself to joining in at the end of 2008.

Now, in early 2010, it has become a significant part of my overall marketing strategy. Not only that, it has been one of the most effective strategies I use to gain new business, build joint venture opportunities and make some really cool friends.

The beauty of it is that I am still stumbling around and finding my way and still seeing great results.

If you want to connect with me, my Twitter handle is @jodellapenna and you can find me on Facebook at /JoDellaPenna. I would love to hear from you!

I wanted to share how I have been able to profit from my amateur skill level in the social media world.

Connect with “heavy hitters” fast!

The beauty of connecting online is that it makes it easy to converse and get introduced to highly influential individuals.

What I have found, is that most are super open to having a conversation with you and are very welcoming.

I am constantly connecting and having discussions about future joint ventures with some. Others have been (or will be) guests on my free monthly Success Chat.

Who is a “heavy hitter” in your industry that can have a significant influence on you and your business? Begin connecting with them, build the relationship and see where it takes you!

Now, make sure that you have that giving attitude and work to build a relationship BEFORE you try and sell any one anything!

Reach a larger audience of my ideal client.

When you begin having conversations with others online who share the same target market, their people get introduced to you and your people get introduced to them.

Now, you have to get out of the competitive mindset to be fully open to this level of sharing. I believe that it’s about connection rather than competition.

What I have found that it has significantly increased the audience that I serve.

Here’s how I have been able to connect with a larger audience through social media, just to name a few.

Interviewed as a guest on a show
Invited to speak at live events
Other people have promoted what I’m doing to their list
Asked to be a guest blogger on other’s sites
Had my articles republished
Engage and enroll new clients

Now, this is tricky.

Yes, when we market our business and use social media to increase our reach, it is also about getting clients and growing our business.

Always remember:

The MAIN focus of social media, is to BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

When I first started with social media, I didn’t get how to blend the two.

What I have learned and experienced is that when you are there connecting, building relationships and serving others, the natural by product is that others want to do the same for you.

As is life, the more you GIVE, the more you RECEIVE.

So, get into conversations, comment on other’s stuff and help promote what your new friends’ are doing.

It is okay to announce what you are doing and how you can help others. If you are not letting others know about it, no one will know to buy.

Just make sure it is only a portion of your overall communication.

Finally, but my favorite part…

Make some really cool friends!

I love meeting new people. I love meeting REALLY COOL new people.

Social media has opened up my world and has added some amazing people to my circle of friends. You know, those people who you just instantly have a connection and the conversations just come so easy.

Whats so fun is, most of them are not even local and I would have never met otherwise. Most are spread out around the country, as well as, out of the US all together.

One of my dear friends, mastermind buddy and mentor lives in Canada. Way cool!

As I mentioned, I am still what I call an amateur at social media. But, as you can see, even as a newbie, the results can be amazing.

The key to social media is to make connections, add value and build relationship, the rest will follow.

By: Jo Della Penna

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Jo Della Penna, CEO of The Business of YOU, Inc. is known as the Business Transformation Mentor. She is an inspiring and motivating speaker and author who helps women entrepreneurs build profitable businesses while balancing successful and rewarding family lives. You can also follow her on her blog: www.thebusinessofyou.typepad.com/beyouberealberich