The exponential growth of the internet has enable marketers to have a wider range of choices of platforms to promote their product, services and/or their opportunity.

One of those platforms is Social Networking-sites namely Facebook, MySpace, BeBo , Hi-Five and a host of more.

Wikipedia definition of Social Networking-sites “Social Networking Sites focuses on building and reflecting social network or social relationship among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. Most social network services are web based and provide various ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.”

Now Wikipedia gives smart marketers a key on how to use these type of Web 2.0 platform and the key is be SOCIAL…

It is very important for all marketers to become social and transparent, stop promoting so hard and start socializing and meeting people who you share something in common with.

Do you hate when people send you to their link or opportunity without ever talking to you? They have no clue what your likes or dislikes. What tools you have and what tools you can use? They are only interest in self and you are applying the WIIFM rule. (Whats In It For Me)

See these marketers have missed the mark especially when using social networking sites… the same rules apply people HATE being sold. It actually apply even more here because you should not be selling you should be interacting with people who want what you have.

Now enough about what you should not be doing let’s talk about some things to help you use these sites.

Create A Group – Now before you beat me up about that is rehashed info give me a minute to explain most people create a group directly about their opportunity or service vs. creating a group that talks about solutions instead of the opportunity.

Here is an example let’s say your opportunity is Travel most people would attempt to create a group called XYZ Travel Biz, but a better group would be “Learn How To Travel For Free” or “Cancun Interest Seekers”

Here is another example let’s say you have a dog training product instead of creating a group with the name of the product try creating a group with the name of the problem “Sick And Tired Of Disobedient Dogs”

Those groups will attract the people you are looking for and have the same interest.

The next one is Fan Pages now everyone is using fan pages once again they are using it wrong I have received so many emails telling me to become a fan of “Joe Blow” and I am like who the $&% is that.

This person has never ever interacted with me …LOL and now they want me to be a fan…
Answer this question why would someone join your fan page when you have given them no value nor have you built a relationship with them.

The key to marketing on social networking sites is to create relationship people listens to people they Know, like and Respect.

How can someone respect you when the only thing they know is you are constantly trying to sell them something!!! And to make matters worst you have no idea about salesmanship.

So here is the key…

Build Fan Pages based on something that the person or persons would like to be a fan of … let go of the EGO.

If you are not giving value don’t ask someone to become your fan.

So here are the things that shrewd and smart marketers know about Social Networking Sites

• They Know How To Build And Keep Relationship(Its not about how many friends you have online)

• They Know How To Create Interesting Groups(Its definitely not about your product)

• They Know How To Create Fan Pages (Its not about you)

• They Know How To Have Fun(Let down your hair a little its not a job, play Farmville or Mafia- People want to see that you are a real person and not some marketing ninja)

• They Know Not To Spam Their Own Status(Don’t let every status include your business… it does not look professional)

Hopefully you found some value in this note if so pass this information on.