LESSON #81: Introduction to Social Media for Internet Marketers

By | July 27, 2011
74 Comments

(Part 1 of 2)

We’ve been talking about web traffic strategies for 10 consecutive lessons now, and finally we’re getting to the topic that I know a lot of people have been waiting for: social media!

This is basically going to be a two-part social media crash course for Internet marketers.

(Watch this video…)

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Main points:

  • Social media is just one of many ways to get web traffic.

  • The big social media sites are the kings of web traffic. Facebook is #2 on Alexa, YouTube is #3, Twitter is #9, etc.

  • There are literally thousands of social media sites, spanning dozens of categories, including (but in no way limited to)…

    Social networking sites – like Facebook and Linked-In

    Microblogging sites – Twitter

    Video sharing sites – YouTube, Vimeo

    Photo sharing sites – Flickr, PhotoBucket

    Consumer-review sites – Yelp

    Social bookmarking/sharing sites – Digg, Reddit, Delicious

    Social gaming sites – WoW, The Sims, Second Life

  • Although there are thousands of social sites, and traffic can be gained from most of them, it’s most effective to focus on the handful of sites with the most concentrated traffic:

    My 1st-tier picks:
    Facebook
    Google+
    YouTube (covered in lesson #80)
    Twitter

    My 2nd-tier picks:
    Linked-In (#13 on Alexa!)
    StumbleUpon (#102 on Alexa)
    Squidoo (#2242 on Alexa)
    Flickr (#32 on Alexa)

    Some others worth consideration: Tumblr, Orkut (in certain countries), Reddit, Digg, LiveJournal, Vimeo, Yahoo Answers, and the Warrior Forum (only for the IM niche… #138 on Alexa).

  • Go where the fish are. For example, if your prospects are professionals… focus on Linked-In.

  • The social media experts and gurus are teaching it from various (and often conflicting) angles. Many are teaching it from a corporate branding standpoint.

  • There are three main ways that marketers get traffic from social media (by my definition):

    1) Spamming

    – much of what’s being taught by so-called experts falls into this category.
    – see video for several examples.
    – most social media automation tools are spammy.
    – it can and often does work, but I don’t recommend it.

    2) Integrating

    – Virtually all businesses can benefit by integrating with social media to some degree.
    – It’s about communicating through multiple channels. (Better chance of reaching your prospects)
    – List building is still one of our primary goals (see lesson #59).
    – See video for integration examples

    3) Socializing

    – Your socialization must be related to your business.
    – The objectives are building trust and authority.
    – Keep your personal profile separate from your business profile (with some exceptions).
    – Don’t waste your time on it. (always remember ROI)
    – (See video for examples and details)

  • WARNINGS about social media…

    1) Scammers abound. Please educate yourself and learn the warning signs, so that you do not fall victim to a social media con artist.

    2) You’re sharing your database. By building your business on a social platform, you’re sharing your data with the owner of the website, and potentially allowing your competitors to rip off and/or show their own ads to your list.

    3) The distraction factor is huge, particularly for men. If you think you can hang out all day on social media and not get distracted by pictures of attractive women, advertisements of girls in bikinis, your friend’s latest vacation pictures, a cool new video from Youtube, a funny joke, etc… you’re kidding yourself! This alone will make social media a losing proposition for the majority of male marketers. (A good reason to outsource it).

    Action steps:

    1) Decide what role social media should play in your business.

    2) Consider what kind of social media strategies you would like to pursue, such as integrating and socializing.

    3) Become aware of the time you spend on social media, and track your ROI as much as possible.

    4) Don’t waste your time on low-ROI activities. Outsource the profitable activities as much as possible.

    In the next lesson we’ll be looking at specific methods of integration, and tips for maximizing your effectiveness on specific social sites, including Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Linked-In.

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below 🙂

    Have a great day!

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    • 74 thoughts on “LESSON #81: Introduction to Social Media for Internet Marketers”

    1. Micah

      Hello Eduardo,

      The next lesson will be sent to you soon. You can also visit EricsTips.com to see the latest lesson updates and revisit earlier lessons:
      http://www.ericstips.com/tips/category/lessons/

      Here is the direct link to the latest lesson:

      LESSON #82: Social Media Implementation (Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Linked-In, S.U.)

      If your email happens to block some of the lessons, we recommend that you view this tip on whitelisting an email address:

      How To Add a Sender to Your Whitelist (Safelist)

      Reply ↓
    2. Nombulelo

      Hi Eric
      It has been a long time. I see other bloggers are asking the same thing I am, my lessons stopped at lesson 81 and I wondered if you are going to complete the 100 lessons? Or are the lessons not coming through to my email?

      The last I heard from you, you were promoting on December 31st, 2011 in a Special Edition Instant Product Engine (IPE) with Naveed. I purchased this product but did not download it right away. The reason is that my website is still in the process of being developed. I have the help of my son now but it is taking time because he is so busy in his job doing similar things for his company.
      The problem I have now is that Naveed is so unavailable to answer any of my questions. All my emails to his helpdesk bounce back. I am extremely frustrated. I am writing to you as a last resort in the hope that I will get some answers. I have asked, e.g. if I can download the product to my computer to be installed when my website is ready. I have also not seen the download area even though he said he had extended the download time. I’m worried that the sixty day period will expire before I hear from him. I can’t afford to lose the money and I want the product to kick off my business.

      Sorry about the trouble. I trust that you and your family are doing well.

      Nombulelo

      Reply ↓
    3. Micah

      Hello Nombulelo,

      Are you creating tickets at Naveed’s helpdesk, or attempting to send emails to the helpdesk?

      Naveed would be happy to help you, but he needs to be able to see your tickets. Please create a ticket at the following link when contacting Naveed:
      http://www.asknaveed.com/

      Reply ↓
    4. Lina

      Hi Eric,

      I have read a lot of internet marketing lessons on the web, but your lessons are the only genuine lessons about internet marketing that I have ever read. The others also do give great lessons, but they are all half stories which leave you wondering how to do the complete job. Most newbies will agree with me.

      Thank so much for the google traffic straffic ebook.

      Keep up the good work.

      Lina

      Reply ↓
    6. Bill

      G’day Eric,

      After forking-out almost a thousand bucks AU on my credit card for the product you were promoting on the weninar today from the Mistery Man, I have still received nothing for my money! I know the money was paid because my bank called me to confirm that I had otherised the payment. 671.17 GBP (almost a thousand bucks Australian) is a lot of money to me, a 69 year old retired engineer on a pretty limited income.
      I have not even received a recept by email from the payment server, SWREG Inc, even though I got a web-based receipt to say: Your order was successful. Order Number: #U2972065701.
      Do you have any idea when or how I will receive the program I’ve paid for?
      I am “trying” to contact you via the blog as all attempts by other means have failed to get a responce from SWREG Inc or anyone else I’ve “tried” to contact about this program.

      Thanking you in advance for your advice.

      Bill Whiteside
      Australia

      P.S. Your mate Geoff also never responds to emails so that another opportunity I paid for, his and your latest FireSale, but it to was stuffed-up and I end-up with nothing to show for my payment.

      Reply ↓
    7. Nombulelo

      Hello Eric
      I purchased the Triple Action Firesle Package on February 21st. You then offered a bonus webinar on the 23rd. When I first watched the webinar, I lost the video and I only had audio. I was therefore happy when you wrote yesterday that the webinar was being posted for one day only. I have just watched the webinar again today 27th Feb.
      I am writing because I am confused. I thought the webinar was to explain how to use the product I bought. the webinar was wonderful with all the things you can do to make money with huge traffic with You Tube. However, at the end, I am asked to download a license. I go to this page and to my shock it has a pricwe tag of $900+, way beyond what I could ever afford. I also did not expect this was a new sale.
      I have indicated many times before that I am struggling to get started. I am geting help setting up a website but it is not ready. I purchase products which I think will help me to hit the ground running when my website is ready. Did I miss something to think that the products I bought can go into my website, be set up and make money. Do I need the license sold at the end of this webinar to make it work. Please don’t laugh!

      Reply ↓
    8. Heather

      Hi Eric ,
      My name is Heather I am new to all this computer stuff, I was after just doing the ad writing and I am not sure how to start , I would. Like to make a go of it, I have tried lots of other things but didn’t go all that well, I am a mum of 3 little ones and my hubby and I could do with a little extra money. Could you give me a little help to get me started, I am feeling a little bamboozled.
      Oh and by the way your family look lovely I can see there is lots of love in your home.
      I hope you can help
      From Heather

      Reply ↓
    12. pastor N.John

      deare Eric, in Christ, I am red the information you provided, thank you so much for this, I have this needs are I am preaching the Gospel of Christ who is Crucified in a tree. and saving from them their Sins by telling the gospel of jesus to them, and praise the lord, in this gospel way I see many orphan children, and poor widows and living by begging, there fore I need some help to save them for Life. and God will bless you and your program me.
      thanking you, your brother in Christ;
      pastor, N. John.

      Reply ↓
    13. Theresa

      Hi Eric,
      I’ve subscribe to your tips on internet marketing. I was wondering if you could resend me your lesson #1 tip video. For some reason I’ve lost that email. I’m very new to all this and I still haven’t been able to grasp what it is I need to do. I figured if I start back with your first lesson and really concentrate maybe I will understand it better. Not sure how I’ve lost that email but I did. So can you please re forward it to me. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, You have a beautiful family

      Thanks,

      Theresa

      Reply ↓
    16. Richard Rodriquez

      Hi Eric and Thanks for all the information you are displaying here every day.
      I would just like to say that I am not a big fan of using facebook for socializing as I simply do not have the time. But I would say that there appears a little of the three types of social media users could, if they are careful could utilize the spamming and the intergrating and the socializing, using it as a counterpoint so that you do not lose out totally.
      I quite like the good points raised by Cheryl,John,Michaela and Sanjiv followed by Eric’s reply. It does sound very interesting and promising.
      Finally I do not think that you do anything that is from one source only. If nothing else it is a form of testing.

      Reply ↓
    18. Kerry

      Hi, I’m still working on this Amazon website and was interested to learn that we could have a separate facebook for just friends and another for business. Can you explain how this process works on facebook? I have seen them advertise about putting your business on facebook but there is no actual explanation as to how it works and what you have to do to keep it separate from personal to business.
      Regards, Kerry

      Reply ↓
    19. Len Wolfe

      RE: In regards to being an Affiliate with your 10 Free Ebooks.

      Hi Eric,

      Thank you for taking the time to read this.
      I’m going to be brief and straight to the point.
      My name is Len Wolfe and I am 57 years old. I got your email and signed up for your 10 Free Ebooks and got my Affiliate link, http://www.10-free-ebooks.com/download/?aff=70416
      In the last few years I have become Disabled in a few ways. I’m not able to do much these days.
      I’m pretty much Computer El iterate. It takes me a long time just to do this email. It’s all that I really know what to do on a computer.
      Being an Affiliate sounds like it would be reasonably simple for a Disabled Person to do.
      All I need is to make a couple of hundred dollars a week to make ends meet.
      If you could help me by telling me and showing me how I could accomplish this, it would be Greatly Appreciated.
      Eric, I would love to refer visitors to your site. I just need to learn and know how to do this. This is where you come in. I would be helping you and you would be Hugely helping me. WIN, WIN.
      Thank You Very Much for your time. I hope to hear back from you.
      I know your very busy with Family and Business, I understand if you don’t reply back.
      Have a Great Day. God Bless.

      Best Regards,?
      Len Wolfe

      Reply ↓
    21. Hasan Khan

      Hello Eric
      For the past two months I have been carefully storing your lesson emails in a separate folder but have seen a very few. I have time to view the lessons when I am commuting but your lessons don’t run on my android phone. Other people’s videos do. Is there a way to access your videos on the go? I do carry my laptop with me as well but don’t have Internet access on it when I am moving.
      Thank you for the reply.

      Reply ↓

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