Site Designed-The Next Step with Social Media Design

So you have had your site designed. It`s been a few months and you are either A) latching on to your web designer for dear life or B) complaining that this website isn`t working in-spite of all the voodoo your web designer did (I hate the latter). Little do most newbie site owners know that it takes way more than just listing an item or having great content to make sales.

Enter Lori. This supergirl is the one that creates marketing magic for your site as well as cement your web presence. Please let go of your web designer now. :) For those of you who haven’t a clue what social marketing is and how to get it done right.

ME:How important would you say is social networking and marketing to a starting business?
Lori:I’ll start with a question: When’s the last time you checked the yellow pages? Your potential clients aren’t looking there either! They’re looking online. And having a static site that does nothing but look pretty isn’t going to get found in the sea of competition. Social media is electronic word of mouth that gets your business noticed.

ME:How difficult is it to integrate social networking to an existing business?
Lori:How established is your business? If you’re a start up then you’re in luck, because you’ll be able to organize yourself based on a social media marketing structure instead of trying to adapt to new marketing while holding onto an old fashioned way of producing your product or service.

For example, some businesses are still using mass media (TV, direct mail, print advertising) to appeal to a clientele that already expects to connect on some level with a real person who can actually help them. These businesses need to rework their business strategy to be social media friendly if they’re going to thrive from now on.

ME:What are some of the benefits of implementing social networking to a business? Any cons?
Lori:Sales! And better customer service. Plus, when you do a good job the referrals are wonderful. Make somebody who’s active in social media happy and you suddenly end up with lots of positive attention! It’s so much faster than traditional word of mouth, which normally affects 3 people. I have thousands of friends online. When I’m happy about something or promote somebody, they get noticed! It’s the same with many of your potential clients. You never know how many people might hear about your good work online when you’re connected.

ME:When a company hires you, what is your role and how can you help their business go further?
Lori:I assume the role of savvy coach! I pay attention to not just what kind of business they have, but how they personally prefer to do business. People need to approach social media marketing in a way that feels natural and exciting to them or it just goes flat. I help people to figure out where their chemistry is online and how to have fun with it while getting business.

ME:How is social networking beneficial to creating an online presence?
Lori:It’s the easiest way I can think of to get noticed online! Every comment you make on Facebook, Twitter, or on a website with a blog can be seen via Google. And it only takes a moment. With a little consistency, people see you often enough to trust that you’re for real.

ME:How is social networking beneficial to customer service and does it stimulate customer loyalty?
Lori:More than ever, customer service is king. People want efficient answers and they want them as soon as possible. Social media streamlines the communication process. Since it’s a medium where short is better, you don’t have to spend a lot of time composing detailed letters unless it’s strictly necessary. And people love it!! I get rave reviews from my clients for being so accessible and responsive to them. It’s also great to have a substantial base of friends online to whom I can introduce my clients!

ME:Can you give my readers some tips on what they should be doing and how?
Lori:It was just announced this week that Facebook got searched more than Google again! My best advice is to create a Facebook Fan Page so that you can get found on there. I was stunned when I got a client within 36 hours of launching my Facebook Fan Page! I wasn’t doing much with it, didn’t know how to use it really, but somebody found me and contracted with me very shortly thereafter. You will be very pleasantly surprised!

Here’s a handy slideshow tutorial to get you started: http://lorirs.com/blog/2010/04/facebook-fan-pages-101-a-slideshow-tutorial/

I also suggest asking your existing clients where they are online and what kinds of things they’d be interested in seeing from your business. What helpful things can you offer online without giving away all of your expertise?

If you’re serious about growing your business online then get help from a professional social media consultant. It will save you time and money so you can avoid pitfalls and get started making money faster. It’s like hiring an architect before you add onto a house instead of running out to Home Depot with a few great ideas and no real blueprint. There’s a chance it might work with trial and error, but do you really want to gamble with your business?

ME:Where can my readers reach you to get started with you?
Lori:I’m everywhere online! But the easiest way to contact me is on my site at http://www.social-media-design.com/ (Here’s the contact link: http://lorirs.com/blog/contact/) If you’re more comfortable talking in person, my number’s 866-567-4487.