Social Networking... A Part of Your Best Marketing Mix Clarity can spice up your marketing mix to help you create more sales. Relax. We have a solution for that.

If the phone doesn’t ring, it’s me! What’s wrong with customers? Our products are great, Our service is terrific, Our prices are competitive.

What result is your customer buying? They don’t know what they don’t know! It’s up to you to communicate in your customer’s language a compelling reason to spend their money with you.

And, how do you reach them? E-Newsletter Website Direct Mail Trade Show Classes Radio Blogging Yellow Pages facebook Twitter Print Ads YouTube

Your Mix is Your Mix Wholesale Grower Retail Garden Center

So, when do I get started with social networking? AFTER you have, –A good website –You are sending quality e-newsletters… on a regular basis –Your staff is trained to act as business ambassadors… to “do you proud.” –Only if you have time to do it correctly.

Social Networking 101

Isn’t all marketing social networking? Like high school, success in SN depends on the extent of your network. SN connects people with like interests, allows easy contacts and updates. Well-done SN is like being friends with the popular crowd: you get introduced to others, your network grows, you are better informed and more liked. Word-of-mouth ….online….on steroids.

Many choices – What’s the difference?

In 2009: Twitter usage up 1400% Facebook usage up 600% –Drive 25% of ALL web traffic –50% FB members login daily –48 M posts/daily Spiders know… …and drive traffic to your website!

What can SN do for your biz? Make customers into fans (marketers) –Events –Photos –Contests –Conversations –Promotions –Timely, local advice

Spread the word Make it personal and entertaining Share news that others will want to share (Facebook) and retweet (Twitter)

Keep the word going Keep it short and sweet –Twitter: 140 characters Tweetie.com URL shorteners: bit.ly, ow.ly, TinyURL

Make it fun…and easy! Use conventions –Hashtags (#musicmonday; #followfriday) –Integrations: Ping.fm; TweetDeck.com; HootSuite.com

My kids are on Facebook. How hard can it be?

Be sure to: Know your short- and long-term goals. –How will you measure and track? –Can you commit enough time to keep content fresh? Make your message clear. –Do you have a company ‘voice’? –Can you engage and not sound like you’re selling? Check out how the SN format works. –Is your profile done correctly? –Do you know how the site tools work?

Drive traffic to your website

Reach more generations Baby boomers Seniors Mommies Generation X and Y 82% of your customers EXPECT info through Internet!

SN rocks current trends Your own PR machine Makes customers feel special Pulls customers into store Creates community Builds trust Instantaneous news = Go viral! Build your fan base!

Geotagging social apps loopt gowalla foursquare

Social networking tips Be everywhere, cover your bases Cross-promote your social networking –Ping.fm –TweetDeck –OpenID –HootSuite Tell everyone and ask them to be your fans –Website –In person –Biz card Learn all you can:

Don’t panic…just get started Get up and running now to be streamlined later Start with a plan, then expand Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Judy Allmon Director of Business Development Clarity Connect, Inc. (573) mobile