The internet is changing the way your customers are communicating.  You may feel at this present stage there is no need for you to network online and participate in social communities but this is where you are wrong.  Your competitors are jumping in leaving you behind.

Social Media and online networking  gives you the opportunity to:

• Build new relationships
• Engage with your customers
• Build an online presence
• Share content about your products and services
• Improves your brands reputation
• Builds credibility
• Reduce expensive advertising costs

But my target audience does not use social media

Question is, how do you know for sure and if they are not today, they could be tomorrow, you need to be ready.

If you are convinced that your target audience does not use social media, then you need to know that their friends, colleagues and family do.

My husband is someone who does not use social media and he does not participate in social communities.  I have often told him to get involved and participate in a social community because he never knows what opportunities the future could bring and building a strong network today could benefit him in the future.  Anyway, I leave him be.  A few months ago he was looking for a solicitor who specialises in accidents.  I immediately recommended Chris Lodge and suggested he should call him, which he did and Chris recommended a colleague of his which was more suited to his case.  He introduced them and he is now making use of his colleague’s services.  How do I know Chris?  Through online networking.  We have engaged in conversations, participated in community chats and I know that other members of the community respect him as a valuable member of the community.

At the end of the day, word of mouth is still the most powerful form of advertising.  Making your presence visible online gives the opportunity for people to recommend you and  talk about what you do.

7 Key benefits of using social media as a marketing and a branding tool

How has social media and online networking benefitted you and your business?  Share your story.

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