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 David Glassey on February 24, 2009 at 5:27pm: Hi Jennifer,

I too am an old schooler, was an advertising sales manager for our daily newspaper as well as a sales person.

Online or in person, you know that people buy from you - you build the relationship - nuture it - keep things honest - and good things will happen.

Visit my page when you have a chance.

David Glassey; ▶ 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 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
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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

Permalink Reply by Christine Best on March 5, 2009 at 9:21pm: I think along the same lines as what I am reading from this group, you do have to build relationships with those that you connect with and not try to connect (like some) with everyone that happens to be part of that network site in order to get a high ranking.

Christine Best
Health Benefits Specialist; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mahal Ramos on March 12, 2009 at 12:23am: I am so glad you asked this question. It's because of the activity on this topic that I immediately saw the value of this site. I'm on several networking sites and after a while, it feels like I'm spinning my wheels. But I value the candidness and contribution that you and the members demonstrated on this discussion. See you online!

Thank you,
Mahal Ramos; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joseph Lizio on March 14, 2009 at 4:31pm: It has been a while since you posted this tread - has your sales increased? If so, what part has worked the best? If not, do you have any idea why its not working?

Would love to see what has worked, if any.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Nunley on March 16, 2009 at 3:47pm

I absolutely feel that this sort of site really works. One of the best things I've found is that I am easier to find on the search engines. The more you post on this and other sites like it you will see your rankings improve and that in and of itself is a tremendous benefit. In addition, there is simply great free content to be had as we learn and grow together. Watch what others are doing and see if it's working.

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Permalink Reply by tom brown on March 17, 2009 at 8:37am: Hi jennifer,

Nothing beats face to face networking or carefully targeted marketing

Tom; ▶ Reply to This