Yes We Can! Industrial Social Media Marketing

Are you someone who would like to be more involved in social media from a business perspective, but not quite sure where to start?  Do you have profiles on a couple of sites with minimal information (and no picture) that you haven't returned to since you opened an account?  If so, you have plenty of company!  Do a Google search on "social media" and you'll probably walk away from the computer blurry eyed and more confused than ever about how this form of communication can be applied to your business.

I'm on a journey to become an expert in industrial social media marketing.  I believe that just as e-mail and Web sites were once considered optional in the industrial sector, so too is social media at this point in its development. One day, we'll find it impossible to exist in the world of business without multiple social media networks. There are plenty of social media consultants out there right now; but I've yet to come across one specializing in working with manufacturing or industrial service companies. So come along with me as we explore the world of social media marketing and figure out how it applies to our businesses!

From Facebook to Twitter to LinkedIn, there's no limit to the number of social networking sites that can be leveraged to interact with customers and prospects, and build positive brand awareness.  Since social media is not yet being widely used by industrial companies, many people aren't even aware of some of the lesser known networking sites that are also great for business professionals.  Here are some of the top ones I'm working with:

• Plaxo.com - onlineaddress book and social networking service
• Biznik.com - community of entrepreneurs and small businesses
• FastPitch.com - for Business Professionals to market their business, press, blogs, events and networks
• MerchantCircle.com - helps small businesses reach local customers through referrals based on on-line advertising
• Ryze.com - Designed to link business professionals, particularly new business owners and entrepreneurs
• Xing.com - global networking for professionals
• NetworkingforProfessionals.com - dynamic business networking that combines online networking and real life events

These are some of the largest and have no particular focus in terms of industry or disciplines.  If you want to see if there are "niche" social media sites for your industry or customer base, go to Google and put in keywords for your industry or target audience along with the words ‘social media site.'

As far as the sites you want to be on, if you're REALLY serious about a social media marketing campaign, I suggest you end up with 8 to 10 sites because that will give you more opportunities for inbound links to your Web site as well as more prospect and partnership opportunities.  As time goes by, you may discover that you only want to focus on 4 or 5 of those; but start with a higher number.

Just checking out these various sites should keep you busy for awhile!  Next blog post, we'll go over some tips for effective profiles.