Does promoting your business on this site and others really result in sales?

I am new to the social networking arena, and have been putting a lot of time and energy in getting my companies name out there. I was trained in the old school of cold calling, and it has worked wonders for me thus far. Now, I hear about this new technique, and I have decided to give it a try. I have joined this group, facebook, twitter, linked in...bought face book ad space, updated our website to include social bookmarking along with making the site much more functional for online ordering. So with all this will I increase my sales?? What are your thoughts?

Jennifer Foley
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Foley Business Forms & Print Solutions
www.foleybf.com

Tags: networking, printing, products, promotional, social

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Christman on February 5, 2009 at 5:46pm: Hi Lynn,

I was just invited to this network and am fairly new to the internet and social networking. I would have to agree with you. I believe it is acquaintances we make online. Some of those may become clients and/or business associates and some may develop into long term friendships.

This network, in particular, is geared to the business person. I am certain most are here for the purpose of acquiring more prospects and clients.

It's just another means of prospecting but on a much larger scale and it is definitely more personable than sending out fliers or cold calling, etc.

In fact, an acquaintance may not become a prospect but may lead you to one or maybe even several. There is no easier sale than the referral sale.

I hope this helps.

Take care,
Cheryl; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna Marie Pannullo on February 5, 2009 at 10:46pm

People are people PERIOD! I, for one, am from the old school and when it comes down to it, no one is going to do business with anyone else until they know and trust them. The internet has given us the ability to connect/network with many more people, and hence, the term "social networking" was borne.
Technology is a wonderful thing and the internet allows businesses to run more efficiently. So "YES" sales can be made online ... in the right venue and at the right time.

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Permalink Reply by Lynn Clifton on February 7, 2009 at 9:55am: Cheryl,

Thank you for your note. I understand what you're saying, just have to get used to this forum and protocol. I love the site -- so much to read, learn, decide and do.

Best wishes to you, Jennifer and the others.

Always happy to make new friends,

Lynn; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Natalie Boecker on February 9, 2009 at 5:23pm: Hi, Jennifer - If cold calling works for you - stick with that! But, in today's world, you are smart to also branch out into social networking. Only time will tell if it is effective. I think a lot of it depends on your business, what you have to offer, etc. Best of luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Craig Deane on February 27, 2009 at 4:44am: Social networking can only help, obviously it will not work as well for some as others but it can only be positive.

It will depend on just how much time you put in to it though, pretty much the same as anything in life.

All the best.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Howard Larson on February 27, 2009 at 7:02am: Time is an expence and in social networking it is a very heve expence. You need to look at your company, what your product or service is to see it it is really worth the time to participate enough to become noticed.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Miguel Alvarez on February 27, 2009 at 2:28pm: I think you might be missing the point here, the point is not to advertise directly ( lol like most here do ) but indirectly ;)

This site is not as good as others because almost everyone here is trying to sell something as opposed to networking with each other. The "other sites" would depend on what type of business you're in.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by William Matthies on February 27, 2009 at 4:33pm: Hi Lynn,

Scanning the responses to Jennifer's original question, I came across yours and couldn't help but reply.

You are absolutely correct regarding what our online "relationships" and "friends" are relative to the real world. I view my activity here and on other networking sites as a precursor to a possible real relationship rather than a real one simply because I clicked the friend button on someone's profile. All this wonderful technology aside, honest relationships, both personal and business, still require what they always have and as you said, that takes time to develop.

Quality or quantity? I think both with how much of each depending on what each of us are looking for.

Regards,
Bill; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ron Monteith on February 28, 2009 at 9:23pm: You've probably heard it said.... "know you ~ like you ~ trust you" ..... those are the folks we like to buy from if possible. A few folks are just "tire" kickers and we always have the price buyers regardless of anything else.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Grace Long on March 3, 2009 at 3:48am: Hi Jennifer,

Social networking and every other marketing strategy will work according to the industry your business participates in. At the end of the day it is how you build your relationships that will determine whether your sales will increase or not.

You mentioned that you were trained in cold calling, this to me means you already have the makings of a good social networker having shed the inhibitions of talking to someone you have not met before face-to-face or otherwise.

I encourage you to just continue building your business relationships and you will never go wrong.

Welcome and best wishes,
Grace Long
Owner, Live Assistant Business Solutions
www.live-assistant.co.uk; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Eaton on March 4, 2009 at 9:45am: Todays way of doing business is changing. Social networking seems to be the new wave. People tend to do business with people they know and trust. So the more friendships you build through networking the better your results. For me it is starting to work but it does take time to establish the relationship. I hate cold calling and didn't get anywhere with it other than a flat nose from having doors slammed on it. Try it, it won't hurt.

Michael Eaton
Independant Utility Broker for Consumer Choice Marketing
www.myutilitybrokers.com/meaton; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle on March 4, 2009 at 10:42am: Jennifer, I think networking does result in sales´ increases. I'm in several networks such as asw, Lstyle, facebook, linked in, etc. I'm not very active in terms of promoting my business, but I do participate much in threads related to love relationships, travel, life, books, etc. and, I am always open and interested in meeting new people. I find it enriching.
In the past year I have had an amazing number of clients from these networks.
Warm wishes,
Michelle; ▶ Reply to This