While the sun may be cheerfully shining outside, retailers and Wall Street investors are facing the gloomy height of the summer doldrums. If your revenues are currently in the summer slumps, consider utilizing the power of social networks to jumpstart your sales. With a freelance writer by your side, you can connect with existing and potential customers and help the sun shine on your bottom line.
Capitalize on Social Network Users – Whose Numbers Have Doubled Since 2007
According to Forrester Research, 55.6 million adults, or one third of the American population, regularly visit social networks. In fact, social networks are used more frequently than even instant messaging!
Based upon the number of monthly visits thus far in 2009, the five most popular social networks are:
With all this impressive data in mind, how can your online business capitalize on the surging popularity of social networks?
Connect with Your Existing Customers and Develop Lifelong Loyalty
Indeed, it is much more cost-effective to retain an existing customer than to attract a new one. Social networks present you with a fantastic opportunity to develop a closer relationship with your existing customer base. When you connect with your customers on a personal level, you foster a deeper loyalty – which translates well for your repeat business revenues.
By communicating with your existing clients through your social network accounts, you give them a glimpse into the personalized workings of your business. Whether you ask your freelance writer to post about new products, compose amusing stories of experiences around the office, or host giveaways, social networks allow you to connect with your customers on an entirely new level.
On your website’s blog and in the footer of your emails, place an icon of your particular social network and invite your customers to become your “friends.” Before you know it, you will develop a league of followers that translates into a stronger bottom line for you.
Publish “Linkbait” Articles to Find New Customers – Hook, Line, and Sinker
Linkbait articles, which can be funny, controversial, or a highly useful resource, remain one of the foremost ways to generate exposure and new customers for online businesses. Your freelance writer composes a linkbait article specifically to garner the interest of social network users. This is the type of content that becomes viral, spreading to thousands of potential customers who may have otherwise never visited your website.
Once your freelance writer composes the linkbait article, simply post it on your social network profile. Or you can publish the article directly on your website and “Tweet,” “Digg” or “Stumble” the content, bringing traffic directly to your website from the social networks.
Use Incentives to Power the Momentum of Your Social Networking Efforts
Give your social network “friends” reasons to consistently stay abreast of your activities. Consider hosting regular giveaways through your social networking profiles to stay in the forefront of users’ minds. Encourage users to check your profile regularly through incentives. For example, you can offer all customers who mention the coupon code “Facebook” free shipping. When you entice the social networks with giveaways and incentives, your following can only grow stronger.
Social networks are a powerful marketing tool just waiting to be tapped this summer. Enlist your freelance writer’s prose, don your creative giveaway cap, and you are quickly on your way to sunnier revenues!