Page 138 - Social Media Marketing

122 Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman

Tip: Another option is to add a publicist to your team. Your
publicist can handle the writing and distribution of the press
release, so you won't have to do it yourself. Most publicists offer
different levels of service, so you can usually find a package that
meets your budget needs.

Establishing a Strong Internet Presence

If you are not marketing on the Internet, then you are missing out on
a huge segment of the population. Just because most homeowners
and buyers are not carrying out transactions on the Internet does
not mean that they are not shopping on the Internet. More and more
people do their preliminary research on the Web before they ever
get serious about buying or selling anything.

By establishing a presence on the Internet and building a reputa-
tion as the go-to guy or gal for the products and services you sell,
you position yourself to become the sales representative of choice
when someone is finally prepared to make a purchase.

To establish a strong Internet presence, focus on the following
three areas:

1. Blog: BIogging provides a quick and easy way to establish
yourself on the Web. Posting content is as easy as filling
out a form. For details about adding a blogging component
to your self-promotional and marketing campaigns, refer to
Chapter 11, "Blogging Your Way to Credibility."

2. Web site: Having your own web site enables you to set up a
home base on the Internet-a place where people can find you
with the click of a button, no matter where you happen to be
doing business. For details on how to maximize the use of a
web site in marketing and sales, refer to Chapter 13, "Creating
and Maintaining Your Own Web Site."

3. Social merchandising: Consumers often hesitate to make a
purchase, because they are waiting for permission from their