[Cheat Sheet] Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media
Four simple steps to dominating the social space. No matter where your prospects look, all roads lead them back to YOU!
Social sites are almost always very delicate ecologies. Too many people are teaching Social Media Marketing the WRONG way, and if it doesn't stop, it's going to ruin it for everyone.
The same "herd" phenomenon that can make these sites so profitable can also make them turn on you in a second if you're not careful. Upset the balance, and you could be ignored, shunned, or even banned.
Have you ever been at a social gathering where some pushy guy starts telling you about some pyramid scheme or hustle he wants to cut you in on?
You're like "Come on, guy! I'm just here to have a good time!"
Well lots of marketers are stumbling around the social spaces just like "that guy". You don't want to be "that guy" because nobody even LIKES "that guy" much less being interested in buying anything from him.
That's why today, with the help of StomperNet Faculty Don Crowther, we're going to lay out a proper Social Marketing strategy that you can copy and use yourself, right away.
Not only does he have his own considerable experience to call upon, but he's been working closely with some amazing social marketing success stories for over a year now, as creator and conductor of StomperNet's SMARTS Social Marketing Club.
I think that puts him in a unique position to clarify what's working in Social Media, and how you can maximize your social footprint WITHOUT stepping on any toes in the process.
Phase 1: CREATE
One benefit of social media is the incredible amount of real estate that's available for free. You will run out of content before you run out of possible places to publish it.
But it does take a little bit of work to stake your claim in these diverse territories. That's why you need to spend some time CREATING profiles and accounts in the major social spaces, as well as any smaller ones that match your niche.
As they say about the lotto, you can't win if you don't play.
Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn – no matter what your niche market, these are places where MILLIONS of visitors hang out. All you need to do to participate is register.
CREATE a blog. CREATE content for it. CREATE articles and publish them to free article directories. CREATE HubPages and Squidoo Lenses about your topic of choice.
All of these activities are investments in online REAL ESTATE. The more you own, the more traffic you'll get.
Phase 2: CONTROL
Through the magic of Web 2.0, you can manage some spectacular things when it comes to distribution. By connecting up all your social services and profiles, you can CONTROL the flow of traffic between your properties.
When you have multiple high-traffic web pages under your control, and you can simultaneously publish to all of them, the results are identical to mailing a prospect email list.
You can also CONTROL the ways people encounter you online. For example, you can provide nothing but free content on the social sites, which link back to your personal blog. On your blog, you can CONTROL the conversation, because you pick the topic. Commenters can reply, but you CONTROL the dialog.
From your blog, readers can join your newsletter. From the newsletter, you can lead them into your sales process, but here's the cool part… You can also lead them around to your other social properties.
You ever get an email from me that says "Follow Me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AndyJenkins"? Yeah. 
Some of you reading this very report are on my email list, follow me on twitter, AND get my blog feed in your newsreader. And you're informed the very SECOND I have anything to share with you, in multiple formats that are convenient to how YOU want to hear from me. I control the messaging, but YOU control the method of delivery. So it's in my best interest to have as many ways to reach you as possible.
Phase 3: CONVERSE
The wonderful thing about social media is that it allows people to talk to each other and share things that enrich each other's online experiences. For business owners, that's great, because it's word of mouth – except you can TRACK it and RESPOND to it.
Obviously, on a site you already control (like your blog), this is easy. People will come right up to you and tell you exactly what they think of you. But this is the internet, so you KNOW people will talk about you elsewhere, too.
So spy on them. Yes, SPY on them. It's easy.
Set up Google Alerts for your name, your company name, your products, your category keywords, etc. Use "comprehensive" as the option, and any time you're mentioned on a webpage, news site, or blog that Google spiders, you'll know. Google will send you an email, or you can get an RSS feed. Neat, huh?
You can also set up a Twitter search using the same info above. Plus, you can add any hashtags you may be using on Twitter as well.
What's cool about Twitter searches is that you can get an RSS feed of them, and plop it right in your newsreader for instant updates whenever anyone utters your very name.
And let's not forget forums, other folks' blogs, discussion groups and interest groups on the social sites. Join, participate, CONVERSE.
There's a marketing adage that says if you want to persuade someone, you need to enter the conversation they're already having in their own head.
Well in Web 2.0, that in-the-head conversation is actually all over the web for you to jump in and if not participate, at least research. Your prospects are telling each other what they think and feel, and it's all there in front of you.
And once you know what they think, how they feel, and how to reach them, you can…
Phase 4: CONVERT!
The heart of conversion is in convincing the other party that they can trust you. To gain that trust, they need to feel that they know you. And it certainly helps if they LIKE you, too.
When you maintain a wide social presence, people find you, and may dig deeper. Since you've connected all your stuff together, it's easy for them to do.
And as they do, they can sort of pick up on what you're all about. They come to KNOW you. And if you're not promoting things where you shouldn't, if you're providing value and being a good netizen, people will LIKE you.
And if you carefully monitor conversations about you, and respond well to positive and negative alike, people will see they can TRUST you.
That's how you gain the power and influence it takes to send a tiny email and make hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales or commissions.
But there's one last little miracle of Social Media Marketing left to reveal. It's a little thing called "virality". I said before that social media was like word-of-mouth.
That's true, but it's also part of the permanent record of the internet. So any conversation online can act as though they printed out a flier for you and pasted it up on a busy street.
You get exposure well beyond the initial participants in the conversation. Forum posts and blog comments can remain in the SERPs for YEARS and continue to bring in referrals even after the original posters have long moved on.
That's it for this "Cheat Sheet" but don't worry. There will be many more to come, so stay tuned.
But before I wrap this up and send you on your merry way to go forth and profit with Social Media Marketing, I have one last "C" word to round out the whole set.
Create, Control, Converse, Convert…
Now go CONQUER!
Until Next Time,
Keep Stomping
~Andy Jenkins
P.S. The main suggestions I made in the report above come directly from Don Crowther's article, "How to Knock A Marketing Campaign Out Of The Park" where he uses Social Media as part of a specific kind of "Fast Cash" strategy.
In fact, ALL of "The Net Effect" Volume 1, Issue 6 is about getting "Fast Cash" and Don isn't the only StomperNet faculty with an idea or two.
Over a dozen exclusive articles from our expert faculty cover a multitude of different ways to quickly scrape up some capital on the web. You can see the full contents of Volume 1, Issue 6 and get INSTANT ACCESS here:
Learn More About This Issue of "The Net Effect"
"The Net Effect" isn't just a trade newsletter or thinly veiled product catalog – this is a REAL periodical, with exclusive content provided by some of the best minds in the internet marketing field.
You owe it to yourself to check it out – your business and your bottom line will BOTH thank you!
Comments
73 Responses to “[Cheat Sheet] Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media”Trackbacks
Check out what others are saying about this post...-
[...] It is now time for you to dig your heels in the social media arena and reap the benefits it has to offer. This post is based on Don Crowther's article, "How to Knock A Marketing Campaign Out Of The Park" and is documented by Andy Jenkins in his post called Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media [...]
-
[...] It is now time for you to dig your heels in the social media arena and reap the benefits it has to offer. This post is based on Don Crowther's article, "How to Knock A Marketing Campaign Out Of The Park" and is documented by Andy Jenkins in his post called Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media [...]
-
[...] 2009-06-21T12:02:45 Reading StomperNet's Latest Article On The True Power of Social Media [link to post] [...]
-
[...] 2009-06-21T12:02:45 [Cheat Sheet] Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power …: "The Net Effect" isn't just .. [link to post] [...]
-
[...] 2009-06-21T11:40:04 Create, Control, Converse…You must read it! [link to post] [...]
-
[...] It is now time for you to dig your heels in the social media arena and reap the benefits it has to offer. This post is based on Don Crowther's article, "How to Knock A Marketing Campaign Out Of The Park" and is documented by Andy Jenkins in his post called Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media [...]
-
[...] It is now time for you to dig your heels in the social media arena and reap the benefits it has to offer. This post is based on Don Crowther's article, "How to Knock A Marketing Campaign Out Of The Park" and is documented by Andy Jenkins in his post called Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media [...]
-
[...] Create, Control, Converse, Convert!… [...]
-
[...] View original here: [Cheat Sheet] Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power … [...]
Speak Your Mind
Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
Very informative thnx.
"How to Knock A Marketing Campaign Out Of The Park" and is documented by Andy Jenkins in his post called Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media
This post is based on Don Crowther's article, "How to Knock A Marketing Campaign Out Of The Park" and is documented by Andy Jenkins in his post called Create, Control, Converse, CONVERT! The True Power of Social Media
Very useful for surfers. thanks….
Great information thanks for sharing.
thank you admin
Oh nice nice baby
Spot on Andy and yes, Google Alerts in particular is a massively powerful marketing research tool when used with some thought.
Hi Andy
Your cheatsheet has reminded me that I need to mix-up my existing promo methods and include a greater degree of Web 2.0 into the mix.
Thanks for the wake-up call
Kind regards
Ian
Andy,
While I know you're the expert, I have to question one thing you wrote:
"All of these activities are investments in online REAL ESTATE. The more you own, the more traffic you'll get."
In my admittedly less experienced results, there's a large number of social media sites, etc., that get very little traffic down to an individual users pages.
Maybe I'm doing it wrong?
Adele
Good things are back again. thanks for sharing this with us. Also dont forget to keep ur updates
Really like this:
"So it's in my best interest to have as many ways to reach you as possible."
So true…would like post a PDF so I can print in out for my wall………..
Paul
Hi Andy
I have really been getting into Social Media but it can become pretty addictive!
Follow me on
http://twitter.com/bumpsmaternity
Regards from the UK
Maria
Very innovative! thanks for sharing the tips which will prove to be very helpful in future as well'
Thanks
Some great tips in this post.
I like the point you made about how you use social media marketing to share your information immediately and in multiple formats. This allows you to have control of the messaging, and gives the reader control of the method of delivery they wish to use.
I also like the idea of using google alerts to spy on the conversations that are going on all over the web.
Great read with a lot of useful information. I particularly liked that it wasn't the same ole rehashed crap that is spreading around like wildfire. Original and informative. Thanks.
Jae
http://twitter.com/jaeburnham
Great tips here! I will definitely go out and get my google alerts right away, that was useful. I will definitely use these ideas to promote my stripping poles business. Thanks!
Hey Andy, this is my first comment but have been reading your stuff for AGES. Great post on using Social Media. I think the overriding theme that I got out of it was 'always provide valuable content regardless of the space you are in'. That will always pay off in the long run!
~Sean
The information from stompernet always comes in the form of benefit to the subscribers.
Thanks
What's working in Social Media is a question I make often. As we can't win if we don't play, my first constraint is the work I need to do to implement such strategy. As I'm am in a way of developping a new site Curso Adwords, this is a must I hope can help me.
This is why I love social media; it's free!
For more free stuff, (is there anything better?), check out the Kanetix Forum to find out anything you want to know about insurance and mortgage questions.
Follow me on twitter – http://www.twitter.com/missjaymearcher
I'm a relatively new member to the stompernet crowd. I can't believe this info isn't all over the web. Thankfully, honest blogs like this one can be hard to find. I mean if they were as common as say scammers, then everyone would be "informed". I always look forward to your updates. Your info is priceless.
Great content as always – really useful stuff which I *do* read – now all I need to do is action it !
Feel free to follow us at http://www.twitter.com/slowdating
I am still working on understanding the whole ins and outs of social networking media and how I can leverage it into sales on my website and on my eBay store. These straightforward lists or checklists are really valuable. Thank you for the free content.
Great content, but about getting link Juice from Social Sites to your own site, how do you do that?
Great tips for sure!
I always include the "follow me on twitter" with everything I send out, I've noticed that I'm getting a TON of new followers on twitter with this feature.
Thanks again for the awesome info!
Follow me on twitter – http://twitter.com/steve_bell
Another awesome post from the Stomper Blog.
Good studd guys.
Dr. Dave Hale
The Internet Marketing Professor
http://www.drdavehaleonline.com
Thankx Andy You the Man!
I agree… Everyone is rushing down the wrong path at the moment. The measure of Twitter success seems to be on "how many followers you have" and yet its the cause of Twitter overload, Twitter Spam and Twitter marketing. You want just 5 valuable and mutual friends that owe you a favor rather than 50,000 followers.
http://twitter.com/_JD_
Thanks for the info Andy, useful as always and delivered in an easy to understand way!
Proof indeed that you are a wise one! we shall call you master 'cheatsheet' and lets go on our mystical journey of enlightenment…
Just followed you on Twitter too, the tool for enlightened souls!
David
http://www.twitter.com/abel2photo
Thanks for the cheat sheets Andy, as usual it's great stuff. I have yet to organise my own circle of social media, but I'm working on it. I do squidoo, facebbook and article directories but nothing else. I know I need to organise myself and get the most from this area of marketing. Your cheat sheets help to remind me to get to it.
Christine
http://twitter.com/cshoemark
Spot on Andy and yes, Google Alerts in particular is a massively powerful marketing research tool when used with some thought.
I have just been getting into using social media as a source of traffic generation and I agree that it is a must for anyone aspiring to have a successful business. Having one system to communicate a message is also vital so you don't have to repeat work too.
I am really enjoying these cheat sheets! More Please!
Great stuff as always. Thank you for all you gives us to help us move forward.
Big Hugs Tenderspirit
Http://www.twitter.com/ElsieRoachODA
Creating the buzz is the most crucial part of the receipe. No doubt that stompernet is the leading cutting edge for SEO/SEM I cannot wait to try out this cheat sheet for my own tactics and marketing for my online marketing domination. Thanks stompernet for everything. Visit http://ryanwegman.com/blog for yor tips and tricks on creating abundance, controlling your future, converting from the rat race to achieving total freedom.
I've used the create, control, and converse parts. The difficulty I have is in converting. I have been able to get people to opt-in to my newsletter. As you mentioned, the traffic has all been free. I hope to do better at the converting part. I guess I still have to build trust. Thanks for the summary lesson.
-Mariano
http://jaucoandassociates.com
Always like the stompin information I have received in the past. Great Stuff.
Bryan
http://twitter.com/bryanbracken
I am enjoying these cheat sheets you're sending. It's a great dose of SEO and Internet marketing strategy every day or so. Thanks guys!
I love this qoute "As they say about the lotto, you can't win if you don't play." so true, so true. Guys you crank out awesome content. I am always eager to read the latest from SN, you break things down into simple enough terms for even me to understand. thanks!
Thanks for the stompin great tips Andy! I'm still new to all this social media stuff, but learning fast and luvin making new friends everywhere!
Thats great information. Something I haven't done. I have set up Twitter ok but I have to look at the others now, thanks!
Peter Fry
http://twitter/peterwfry
This is a lot of commonsense, but I'm baffled why so many still abuse Web 2.0 properties.
SocialMarker.com is a great tool for those looking to save time on bookmarking.
Great stuff… proving yet again why you are at the forefront of online marketing…
Karl
I love the step by step Stompernet style education even on social media. I thought you are SEO education company?
WOW! Thanks for the great "Cheat Sheet" I had forgotten about the Google Alerts. I have several that run but forgot I could add more. Silly me
I have already found several great new article ideas from the alerts helping me brainstorm.
Blessings,
Wendy
Andy,
Thanks for a well written article with information I can use right away. Not only does it give tips but the tips are given so anyone (newbie) can understand.
Inez Bracy
http://www.overfiftyfineandfancy.com
Kudos! Wonderful advice!
Thanks for the advice! You're SUPER!
Kelly
Andy,
Once again great content from Stompernet. Social Media is great way to connect with prospects
and get them into your funnel. Looking forward to get more from you.
-Janak
http://www.Twitter.com/JanakMehta
I LOVE these "Cheat Sheets"! They are straight forward, easy to implement and most of all – full of value!
Thank you so much,
Shannon
Hey Andy,
You guys at Stomper continue to amaze. Thanks so much. And I am already following you on Twitter, so I guess you are right. I've used social media to point at my Catholic Blog, which sends links to my store. I'm delighted with the traffic and results.
Thanks guys!
Thomas
thank you very nice
I love it … #5 should be cultivate after the sale. Continue to up sell and resell.
Thanks Andy
its very nice.. thank you
Hi Andy, love the way Stompernet breaks down the "Goods" step-by-step! I'm a Long time reader, first time commenter. Thanks for leading by example.
J.
Hi Andy,
Firstly, thanks for your updates…..
Here is my poser of the day – I have just started looking at the IM Industry and, have found a niche that is pretty busy and has no reports on topics that are related – so a good point to start if you have one pre-prepared as that niche you have first hand experience of.
You talk about the Web2.0 Real Estate Market – and owning the main login details so that once you have registered that login – it shows on results, right?
My question is this – Once you have carefully started to send out links from the Web2.0 points – where is it best to send them too? Should I create a lens on Squidoo and point them there, create a video, load it up and then show a link to my sales page?
I am slightly confused as, like much of the market, we see and hear different stories about the real state situation in Web2.0 – some say that you need to blitz 2-300 sites over a period – others say do it slowly and at different times.
I would be grateful to your thoughts having just read through your "Cheat Sheet" today and, how you say in one hand that it is good to have them but, be careful?
Thanks and look forward to your reply, either through your blog or by email, your call!
Regards
Darren
Thanks for the tips Andy.
The thing that took me some time to get to grips with is just how interrelated all the social media is, and how this can best be utilised/lveraged. Your tips touch on this which is great!
Thanks Again,
Chris
http://twitter.com/TheProfitWizard
Don Crowther is one sharp cookie, as he proved to many of us during SMARTS. Combine him with Andy and the rest of the faculty and it's a Grand Slam, not just a solo outta the park.
Thanks for sharing this info!
Charlie Seymour Jr.
Twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads
Andy
Thanks for always sharing great content without a pitch! Always love using your insight to improve our business!
Cheers
Dave
http://twitter.com/davedinwiddie
Andy,
Well written and easily understandable for a tech-challenged person like me. Really liked this one.
Thanks,
http://twitter.com/bluejeanslady
Great Tips. It is fun – and challenging when trying to create content around a topic, sometimes it has to be sideways – and still be polite. For us it is easier to talk about gift giving ideas than just the money clips. And YES, I definitely run out of content wayyyy before I finish the A List options for posting to be sure.
Thanks for continuing the conversation.
And you can follow us on Twitter, too
http://twitter.com/coolshopping
it's funny – i never have gotten an email saying "follow me on twitter." but when you included it in this article, i did it instantly.
Great instructions!
Social Media is where many of my incoming links come from directly. But indirectly, I know that having my site linked through so many social sites helps to make my site come up higher in Google searches as well.
And I am following you on Twitter Andy!
Thanks,
Jeromy
http://twitter.com/JeromyS