But at what point has the "give, give" turned into a sales pitch for someone else?

Here are my thoughts on this…..

I've heard many in the SM field say promote others 8x, 10x, 12x more than you promote yourself.  But here's the thing….if I've subscribed to your blog and I'm getting "pitches" for something else rather than hearing your opinion about something, I loose interest quickly.

Maybe they aren't meant to be sales pitches for someone else.  After a while that's how it sounds.  I'm not interested in that.  I want to know YOUR thoughts!  Put a plug in for the other person in the bottom of the post ….but don't make it your entire post.   Yes everyone likes to see themselves get promoted by someone else and even better someone who is a mucky muck in the field.  But is it doing the initial poster any good?  I'm not sure, because I've unsubscribed to that particular blog.

Let's hear it….what do you think about this?

Give Give Get is a post from: The Wilson Edge

Our last class filled up very quickly! Get yourself signed up and get ahead of your competitors!

Our Next Class !! is a post from: The Wilson Edge

Instructor: Robin Wilson

If you already use facebook and need to get your business noticed, then this is the class for you! You will be in the Canisius Amherst Conference Center, computer lab…..everyone will be at their own station. There is no need to bring your own computer.

I will go step by step to show you how to build your fan page.

Then!! I will show you how to use it! Before you leave you will know…….

How to create great content.

How to get your photos uploaded.

How to link your videos from youtube.

How to upload your menus or specials.

How to create events.

How to get your vanity url.

How to get "Fans" and "Likes" on your page!

Walk out with a working Fanpage!!

Facebook Seminar is a post from: The Wilson Edge

MashableMashable

Truly Mind Boggling Facebook Stats! is a post from: The Wilson Edge

Watch for Up Coming Classes!

How To…Twitter and Facebook Prt 2 is a post from: The Wilson Edge

The progression as I see it is….starting out with Twitter. Why?  Because it is fast and painless to set up and start using.  It is also easy to find people in your market by using Twitter’s search and trending topics features.  Once you have started establishing relationships with people (it is called social networking for a reason…be social!) you can start to ask questions and get a feel for your market.  You need to know what problems they have and what they need to solve them. 

Whatever you do, don’t start trying to sell your products or services as soon as you open your account!  That will turn people off immediately!

Once you have a good idea of what your market needs, you can start offering advice to your community on how to solve their problems. This along with regular conservations helps to build trust which is essential. 

After Twitter comes Facebook.  Why?  Because Facebook allows you to be more expansive when addressing your market. You aren’t limited to 140 characters for one thing.  You can also add audio and video as part of your educating process.

Other social media channels like LinkedIn, video or audio can also serve to help establish you as an expert and build trust. And people also get to see and hear you which gives them a better feel for you as a person.

But again you should be getting people to visit your blog to learn more about you, your business and how you can help them solve their problems.

Your blog gives you the chance to go into greater depth about all the different facets of your business. You can write posts that offer greater detail on what you do, you can do a video or if you are camera shy you can record a audio presentation.  You can even post photos.  And because blogs allow comments you can get instant feedback on your posts.  Comments also make it easy for people to ask questions and offer suggestions for improving your product or service. 

And of course, you can use your blog to lead people to your other social media channels such as Facebook, YouTube, Podcasts etc.

And finally your blog is an excellent place to direct people to your “money site” whether it be within your blog, another website or a brick and mortar store.

So make your blog the hub of your social media marketing efforts.  Use your other social media channels to invite members of your various communities to visit your blog for an in-depth view of what you do and how it can be of benefit to them.

And remember it’s about them not you!

Blogs as the Focal Point of Your Social Media Marketing is a post from: The Wilson Edge

Twitter & Facebook WorkShops Coming Soon! is a post from: The Wilson Edge