Social Media isn’t just for updating your friends and sharing your latest photos, it can help you grow your business!

As of May 31, 2011, Facebook was fast approaching its 700-millionth signup. You don’t even have to tweet to enjoy Twitter.  Whether you tweet 100 times a day (please don’t) or never, you still have access to information about what interests you. Many people simply use Twitter as a way to keep up with friends and acquaintances or get the latest information on your interests.

According to a SocialWare survey, 79% of the largest Fortune 500 firms use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or corporate blogs to communicate with customers and others. And 69% of them report that their companies have gained measurable business benefits from social technologies, including more effective marketing, more innovative products and services, better access to knowledge, lower costs of doing business, and higher revenues.

So does that mean Email Marketing isn’t as effective? Absolutely not! Email Marketing is still going strong. According to an Econsultancy survey in early 2011, 72% answered that Return On Investment (ROI) of their email marketing campaigns is excellent. Also, 39.4% of marketing industry executives called Email Marketing “the most powerful advertising channel for their business”, according to Datran Media’s 2010 Annual Marketing and Media Survey.

By using social media avenues you’re able to direct people to your email campaigns. Include occasional posts with your business website or landing page. Have your website link in your social media bio information. Those who are really interested in what you’re offering will sign up (opt-in) to learn more about your information and why they should become customers or join your business. Your email campaign should give them more information about your product or service.  Include a link to your Facebook or Twitter page on your website if possible. In fact, 54% said their marketing efforts were better with both social media and email campaigns.

With social media, be sure to follow the unwritten rules, which include how often to share your marketing message. You need a combination of personal information, valuable topical information, and only 25-30% of your posts about your business. Be purposeful in what you post and you’ll develop a following who know, like and trust you. Using email to boost your social media voice and vice-versa is key to reaching more people and growing your business!

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