The purpose of any business is to make a profit from your existence. This is often done by selling a product or service. In order to make a profit selling your products and services, businesses have to promote themselves religiously to potential customers. The "Golden Rule" of having your product or service found by the right prospects, you as a business have to advertise.
With so many ways to advertise, business owners can become overwhelmed with the promotion effort. The main reason for the discomfort is that most methods of advertising cost money. As a business owner your ultimate goal is to make money not spend it, is that correct? Well, to give you some peace of mind, if you think all modes of advertising will cost you money, think again! Ultimately, you may have to spend some money to advertise your business, to receive the monetary gain and brand recognition that your business deserves. However, there are modes of advertising that will allow your business to promote itself and connect with your potential clients without having to spend one dime of your marketing budget.
Are you wondering what it could be?
One of the many ways that you can advertise your online business, without spending money, is by using online social networking websites. Millions of people use the internet everyday to connect, communicate, and network using social networking platforms.
Social networking was created to help others connect and build relationships online. This does not exclude businesses and business owners. Forming friendships while social networking is the most common type of social networking, however, as a business owner, social networking websites can be used as leverage to gain credibility and prospects online, if taken advantage of properly.
Most social networking websites are designed to make online friends and relationships. However, there are social networks created specifically for businesses and business owners to network, promote, advertise, and connect. These particular social networks allow business owners the opportunity to share business information, develop close relationships, and find others that share a common interest with your business and ideals. Social networking is beneficial to not only promote your business, but it gives you the opportunity as a business owner to learn from others in your field.
As mentioned earlier, social networking websites that are used to promote businesses, are a great free advertising and marketing tool. However, it is best to remember to utilize the opportunity to make friendships and to not strictly focus on social networking for your business. Don't assume that some social networks are not for you or your business. You can use social networks such as MySpace, Friendster, and Yahoo! 360 to help your business find potential prospects and to connect with the clients that will do business with you. This should be your ultimate goal using social networking for your business.
Once you take the leap into social networking, you begin by creating a profile for your page. This normally includes a photo, a bio, and interest section. Some social networks allow you to post videos, blogs etc. Use these to your advantage without spamming others. This is a big turn off in the social networking arena. Do not use your profile strictly to promote your business. Join the fun, add some value, teach and learn. Social networking users can smell a fake business ploy a mile away. Be careful of how you interact with others via your profile page.
When you decide to join a social network to promote your business, if done correctly, it can have benefits that will increase your businesses bottom line, build credibility, and help you to find potential clients. The possibilities are endless.
