8 Rules For Social Media Marketing

by Steve Scoresby Internet Entrepreneur

8 Rules For Social Media Marketing
by Steve Scoresby

Have you posted links on Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks and wondered why you never get a response? Do you find your friend requests ignored or have you noticed that you've been removed from lists or groups? Ever stopped to ask yourself why?

Are those with a huge followings and lots of social validation just lucky? Or have they done certain things to attract and keep their following? Believe it or not, these marketers are doing things right. If you do social media marketing the right way, you will attract a large following, get a ton of leads and can massively grow your business almost on autopilot. So what are they doing right?

Here are the top 8 rules for social media marketing.

RULE 1: Never promote your business on the first contact. That's like jumping into bed with them before you ever get to know them. Find something in common and build upon that. Get to know them and ask about their business first. Just be a friend without an agenda. Find out how you can help them.

RULE 2: Never send random or generic invitations to people to join your list or network. When you invite someone to connect, you should always include a message, not a link. Compliment them on a post or a training they shared. Find a common interest you both have. Mention another friend or connection you both have in common. Give them a reason to connect with you.

RULE 3: Once you have made some connections and contacts, don't start bombarding them with messages about your business. You will be 'unfriended' in no time. Instead, give them a reason to stay on as a friend by offering them something of value . . . (see rule #4.)

RULE 4: Always look for ways to add value to your contacts through education, not sales. Share with them a motivational quote or a link to a relevant article or blog post. Offer free trainings that can be shared without an agenda. Don't always try to be pitching them on your business or selling them the next big thing. Always be adding value to the relationship. (see rule #8.)

RULE 5: Prepare your content and information outside of your social networks. Use the social networks to draw them to your blog, your videos, your website or to the articles you have written. Let your content do the selling for you, rather than you trying to sell them on what you have to offer.

RULE 6: Always get permission from your friend before you send them information about your products, services or your business. Timing is everything. Make sure it is right. They are more likely to take a look at what you are offering if you've developed a relationship of trust first, and then they will be open to receiving what you have to offer, if you have prepared them properly. (Remember rule #3?")

RULE 7: Never do a shameless plug for your product or business on someone's content, comment or material. This is just plain rude and inconsiderate. Find a way to add value to the conversation, not take away from it by shamelessly promoting your product or service. Add value, consistently and often. This will help build trust and rapport, and people will begin to recognize you as a valued contributor.

RULE 8: Master the 95/5 give-to-take ratio, meaning you are giving away something of value 95% of the time. Promote your products and services or business the other 5% of the time. If you give more than you take, you'll sell more when you make your offers.

Well, that's what I consider to be the top 8 rules for social media marketing. I am sure there are others, but if you were just to follow these eight simple rules, you would be ahead of 95% of the other marketers out there who are doing it all wrong.

By following these 8 simple rules for social media marketing, you will attract a huge following, sponsor more people into your business and sell a ton more products and services than those who don't. Guaranteed!