Converting Social Media Traffic into Sales

Social media is the latest breakthrough in technology to come along since the Internet first took off in popularity during the latter part of the 1990's. In the last 5 years, sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and Digg, have rapidly advanced the way individuals connect to one another and network in a variety of different relationship types. Some people use it to build their network of social alliances. Some people use these services for dating. Still others see the full business potential of the platforms and do their best to find connections in and related to their niche so they may further grow customer base and potential revenue streams. As an online business professional, you want to harness the power of social media to up sales and grow your business in the new millennium.

Social media is perhaps the best way of building client and customer lists and keeping them apprised of specials on products and services. Many online businesses prefer to use the power of social media to make special offers, but the tactic is not confined solely to the World Wide Web. Many brick and mortar businesses have started to realize the power of the social media marketplace in expanding sales beyond what is offered in a store. It is easy for followers of a pizzeria's Facebook page to find out about one-day specials and deep discounts for certain menu items. Without paying for the cost of an advertising spot, a restaurant or other business can run specials for those who follow their page and reap benefits with zero overhead in ad expenses.

Other than making offers online, businesses can get a good idea of the customers that are keeping them in business. They can develop more advanced marketing plans based on certain attributes and demographics that a basic email list simply doesn't have. When a person chooses to follow a business's social media profile, he or she willingly grants access to likes and interests that a business can then use in crafting promotions which might better convert sales from existing customers. Protecting a customer's privacy, however, must still be a top priority, so no matter what business you are in, you should never sell information you've compiled to other parties without the customers consent.

When you get ready to take your business to the next level, whether you do most of your business online or in the "real world," making wise use of social media is vital to growth and success. Resistance to changes in technology sets one up for failure in the economy of the 21st Century. And with all the cost efficient advantages that social media outlets provide, it pays to be proactive in learning the new tools of an old trade.

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