Using Social Networking Sites as Marketing Tools

Using Social Networking Sites As Marketing Tools
"How to Utilize Social Media Tools for Your Company
Curtesy of YouTube & Mahalo.com
Jena Andres interviews Kate Gardiner


The Internet today has become the number one way consumer’s access new music, read the latest news and purchase the latest gadgets. For this reason, it is very important to have a presence on branded social media sites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, etc., so that consumers see your brand frequently. When establishing a social presence, it is important that the content you share is of high quality and reflects the image and message that the brand wants to represent. If you are a small business owner who has yet to embrace social networking, now is definitely the time to put that vehicle in motion.

When it comes to the best networking tools for startup companies, business professionals favor Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as the top sites. In the video I attached below, Jena Andres of Mahalo.com interviewed web strategist Kate Gardiner, who stated, “In my opinion, you must have an aggressive appearance on Facebook and Twitter as well as LinkedIn”(Youtube, 2011). Joining these media streams and using them can be the edge your business needs to stand out among competitors.

Social networking platforms set the stage for building relationships with people who share the same interests, activities and personal contacts. This also means social networking also enable business, both big and small, to invite audiences to get to know their brands in non-traditional ways of marketing or advertising.

It is important to research, study and decided what sites are best for your particular type of business. Before opening any accounts and becoming an active member, consider how your business can profit from the sites resources. It is also important to have a strategic marketing plan and analyze the marketing vehicle of the major companies within your industry. Analyze your current social media strategy, your targeted audience and how it can possibly be improved. Without this plan, you could find yourself wasting time and joining sites that are not meeting the needs of your business.



YouTube. (2011). How to Utilize Social Media Tools for Your Company. Retrieved June 19, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgm7HX4gS7A