Trying to attract new customers to your business?  Not sure how to network with potential customers online?  Social Media Optimization is a new method of promoting and publicizing your business.   Many websites (Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, YouTube, etc) offer services and features to attract new potential customers to your business.  The question is, are you using them correctly?  You can also optimize your current business website to get your products, promotional material, and get your company’s message heard! The key is right in front of you.

A great way to use Social Media  is having a RSS feed, Sharing Icons, and posting your latest news on social bookmarking sites like Digg or Delicious.   These tools are easy for any web developer to implement into a website. Do they currently exist on your business’ website?  Why not? It’s never been easier to spread the word about your business!

Another method is to have a blog, provide status updates to social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), or participate in  discussion  forums.  Keeping your clients updated regularly on products, sales, or recalls can build a healthy relationship of trust and loyalty.   This also gives you an opportunity to learn information from your customers that can improve both your online and “brick and mortar” storefronts.

Consumers like to research information and compare prices before they purchase a product or service.   Social networking allows customers  to talk to you , and give feedback, while providing  you with an additional sales floor to attract business. Networking sites allow customers to interact with others that have similar interests, ask questions, and find opinions about companies and products.

It’s the new way to market your business.