Do Social Networks Really Work?
A few times a month I get a phone call or email asking me “should I promote my bed and breakfast on social networks?” My usual response is “Short answer yes with a but, long answer no with an if.” This semi joking response aside my answer is pretty correct. Using social networks can be an useful tool in driving traffic to your site or more specifically for inn owners, leads for bookings but you have to understand how and why they work.
As I stated above social network can work really well but you have to know how to use them correctly or just as important, use them often, and stay very active within their respective communities. Here is a list of a few things that will help with decide if you want to get into the social network wave.
Do I have the Time to Dedicate?
Much like running a blog you need some time. Making contacts, and keeping up on information is vital. This is especially true with sites like Digg where being a known member or “Power User” is key. As a new user you will need to participate and comment on other peoples posts to show that you are not a spammer or someone just looking to market your product. Spend at least a couple of hours a week doing this.
Is There a Market for my Product or Industry?
What makes you unique? Find your niche or band together with other bed and breakfasts or inns, in your city. Places like facebook offer “groups”. These groups are get places to advertise your area or events that are offer something special. Don’t forget that the demographics of places like this are changing, the over 40 crowed is one of the largest growing groups that are signing up.
Be Friends with the Right People
Having 10,000 friends on a social network is great but if they are not relevant to your target audience or they are a business that only wants to peddle their product then your efforts can be wasted, you see this a lot in twitter. Like in life choose your friends carefully make sure you all have common interest.
Have Fun
Most importantly just have fun with it, enjoy what ever community you are a part of. If you look at it like a job you will get board. Have some good times reading funny articles or having a spirited debate, remember the idea is to be social.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Lets not forget the benefits Social Networking (web2) can give to SEO and web ranking.
You are correct for true social networking to have any benefits you need to build a comprehensive ‘buddy list’ of persons who would be interested in ‘using your product’ at some point in the future. Clearly this is not a task that can be completed overnight.
I ‘publicise’ my blog site on Digg and Stumble upon but simply for the additional links and the fact that being on digg allows the google spiders to index material pretty quickly.
You need more than to simply push your establishment!! Give added value by commenting on promotions in your town’s attractions or other interesting comment.