This slideshow is a very general overview of social media networking. The presentation shows how to start social media and explains general rules of thumb when it comes to social media.

1. What is it? Social Media Marketing

2. What is Social Media? Social media is the online forum and practice that people use to share thoughts, insights, experiences, and perspectives with each other.

3. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, watching your competition score points learn how to use social media to your advantage. “Consumer controlled environment with user-created content”

4. Why do I Need it? For the first time ever, consumers are controlling the conversation. It’s happening with or without your involvement. “Engagement is the cornerstone of social media and all about making it relevant to your audience.”

5. Social Media has become the best way to build your network, become an expert, interact with the community, and brand your company! It’s about getting your message to them through social platforms..

6. Consumers want to work with a company they KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST. Consumers want to build a relationship and feel connected with a company. Consumers want to be in touch- show up daily - this lets them know you got their back and are here to stay. “Companies can build this relationship by responding to concerns and initiating conversation.”

7. Consumers want to be educated about your product or services. Consumers want a Company that is knowledgeable on today’s issues. “Companies can show their expertise through social media.”

8. Where do I Begin? Just like a football coach doesn’t go into the game without a plan… neither should you! “ A radical change has occurred in marketing and advertising”

9. Define your strategy Audience? Long-Term Plan? Tools? Goals? A clearly defined strategy is essential to implement any type of social media marketing.

10. What is the goal of your social media plan? BRAND AWARNESS Increase awareness of your brand, service, or product? DRIVE LEADS Stay connected with consumers and Prospects? INCREASE PRESENCE Drive conversation and engage with community about your brand? “Without goals we won’t know what we are planning for.”

11. What tools with you use? “Each social media tool serves a unique purpose-some are to make life a bit easier, while others are geared to help companies show their expertise, while other’s are strictly for engagement and interaction. Be sure to have a complete understanding of the different types of tools before you begin.”

12. When you’re not sure where to start… begin with the “Big Wigs” in social media and work your way up to other avenues. Facebook: 500-million active users You Tube: 2-Billion videos watched daily Twitter: 175-million user LinkedIn: 43-million users

14. Prospects?

15. Age?

16. Location?

17. Non-traditional consumers?

18. How do you plan to inform your clients you are on social media?“Your targeted audience needs a purpose to follow or fan you. What reason can You give them?”

20. Often will you track results?

21. Often will you target prospects?

22. Often will you make connections?

24. Will track results and measure efforts?

25. Will check-in daily and engage with users?

26. Develop contests, events, “fan” only mentions?

27. Monitor your reputation in social media?“Fan’s will turn on you quickly, if you aren’t consistent with your brand and Engagement.”

28. Facebook Here’s how it works: Users sign up for a free account and then make connections with other users by “friending” them. When you find someone you know on FB, you request to be their “friend”. If it’s accepted, you will see all their personal information (yes-all of it), status updates, photos, and more. In turn- they can see everything about you., your company, and your postings.

29. Facebook is a great place to connect with your business network and prospects via a “fanpage”. A fanpage is unique in that the user does not request a “friendship”, rather anyone can “like” a businesses fanpage. Once a consumer “likes” a fanpage, anything you post will show up in their newsfeed. This is how the network kicks into full effect! If you post something they like, they can share it with their friends.

30. Remember… people who “like” your page are interested in your company and what you have to offer.. Use that to your advantage by posting updates, photos, videos, articles, how-to’s, sales/promotions, or any content that will form a greater bond between consumer and company. TIP: When posting something, make it exclusive to your “fans”- so them you appreciate their following and they will reciprocate by sharing with others.

31. Why we love it Fanpages are public-facing; meaning they can be picked up in search engines and give you more exposure.

32. Twitter Here’s how it works: Twitter is a free public site, which means that anyone can view your tweets. However, user can make connections with other users by “following” them. When you find someone you know on twitter, you will follow them, and as “twitter etiquette” they will follow you back. Once the follow occurs, anything you “tweet” will be posted for them to see on their private feed..

33. Like facebook posts, user can share your message with a simple click of the button. This is called “retweet”, and it helps spread your message to an entirely new group of prospects'. You can tweet about anything- such as articles, updates, newsletter, tips, advice, etc. Keep in mind that “Tweets” are limited to 140 words or less. TIP: The more engaging and relevant your content is the more likely your message will be passed on or “retweeted”.

34. Why we love it Fanpages are public-facing; meaning they can be picked up in search engines and give you more exposure.

35. Active Rain Here’s how it works: Active Rain is a specific Real Estate professional blogging site. Users sign up for a free account and have the ability to post articles, tips, advice, news, or activities with other real estate professionals. What’s great about active rain is that partipants have the ability to comment on blogs and content has the ability to make the newsletter (if deemed by the hosted site as most relevant).

36. TIP: Connections are made via relevant articles and blogs related to real estate-if you’re not an expert yet don’t get in there and claim to be one- get in there and start to read how the most popular active rain bloggers are doing it.

37. Why we love it Fanpages are public-facing; meaning they can be picked up in search engines and give you more exposure.

38. You Tube Here’s how it works: Anyone can sign up for a free account and upload a video to the site and share it with the world. (Note: anyone can watch your videos without an account.) YouTube makes is easy to categorize your video-making it easy to find your video in a search engine.

39. YouTube make it easy to share videos via all social networks such as FB, Twitter, and LinkedIn. TIP: Avoid “cute” video names. Instead, optimize your title by using key words that your customers and prospects might use to find you. And don’t forget to link your video back to your other social networking sites or your website.

40. Why we love it Fanpages are public-facing; meaning they can be picked up in search engines and give you more exposure.

41. LinkedIn Here’s how it works: LinkedIn is the most “professional” of all the social networks and most popular for business-to-business exchange or those looking for jobs. User’s profiles are created in the same manner of facebook but they nothing shy of a curriculum vitae (resume) with anything from company endorsements to recommendations. Profiles outline who a company is, what they do, and where they operate.

42. LinkedIn is unique in that they host a “groups” where a business professional can answer questions in your area of expertise. TIP: Participants in LinkedIn are very active bunch who are looking for information and insight- if you’re not prepared to be active don’t dabble now and again and tease your following.

43. Why we love it Fanpages are public-facing; meaning they can be picked up in search engines and give you more exposure.

44. In a nutshell… If you haven’t already signed up for these free accounts, you should do so now. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even if you don’t plan to use them right away, they are free and a great place to experiment with your social media networking. “You’re clients are using social media… are you?