It includes a blog as well as a photo gallery.

Visit the site at http://www.acwhealthcare.com.

ACW Healthcare is a South Jersey based nursing company, headed by Anne Wells.

This will be their first website. It will feature a blog, a photo gallery and a Flash intro.

Social networking is coming of age.

And people are using it for everything from getting a job…to finding long lost classmates and friends…to sharing about the newest high-tech toys…to finding a mate.

But if you’re running an online business, you probably want to use it for something more — something more closely aligned with your business goals.

… like getting new customers.

Here are 3 simple tips for growing your online business using social networking:

1) Seek out people whose interests fall into areas served by your business … and talk to them.

You first need to find people who might be prospective customers for what you are offering. And you start by using the search tools provided by the social networking site (or even tools provided by third parties) to find groups and conversations related to the areas your business serves.

Then you simply start a conversation with those people.

Just a conversation!

No pitch. No selling.

Just talk to people and listen to what they have to say.

Eventually, your expertise and *the person you are* will attract the right people — people who want to do business with you. But be patient. It won’t happen instantly!

2) Make your message unique, clear, and succinct.

When telling others what you do, make your message laser targeted, crystal clear, and as short as you possibly can without diluting it.

Speak first of a specific benefit you offer and can deliver to your ideal customer or client.

For example, if you’re in the diet niche, then you would want to craft a very short, unique message about how you help make people’s lives better by offering sound advice on diet and weight loss.

You might call this an “elevator speech in micro form”.

But don’t make your message about helping just any old person.

Craft your message so it aims directly and specifically at the people whom you most enjoy working with and helping.

Start by getting a really good idea of who these people are and what they’re like. Get as much info about them as you can possibly find through your research.

You want info like age, level of education, income level, marital status, political affiliation, outside interests, etc.

In other words, a composite picture of the person you most enjoy doing business with.

Once you have that picture in your mind, then create your message in full long form. The more laser targeted you can be towards your ideal customer, the better.

Then distill your message down to as few words as possible. Be sure to keep your main keywords intact.

Once you have that message, include it on all your social networking site profiles.

3) Seek first to help. Become a facilitator.

Social networking is about sharing information. So pass on as much helpful information to people as you can.

Since you are an expert in your niche (you are, aren’t you?), this is a great opportunity to provide information for people based on what you know and love.

Once you are seen as an expert, your status goes WAY up in the eyes of people.

Suddenly, you’re no longer JUST a “seller” of stuff! You’re now a bonafide expert who provides helpful information. And later, when people are trying to decide who to buy from, your name will come to mind.

********************

Social networking is rapidly becoming a “mainstream” way for people to meet and speak with each other.

The potential for online business owners is huge, since this is an opportunity to learn more about what it is your customers really want so you can better serve them.

So jump in with both feet and take advantage of social networking for reaching out to your people.

Oh, and did I mention it’s fun?

About the author:
Want to learn more about using social networking more effectively? Visit http://Down-Home-Marketing.
com to learn more and grab a copy of my free beginner report
“17 Quick Tips For Building Your Online Business With Magnetic Web Copywriting.”

One of the most common misconceptions today is that a blog is meant for personal use. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
A blog is so much more than a personal diary or a daily dose of someone’s personal opinions and ideas. A blog provides an opportunity for outsiders to become engaged and active. Let me put it this way. You are missing out on a huge opportunity if your company does not have a blog. Let’s start out with the consumer’s perception of companies.

Consumers have changed the way they view companies. In the past, consumers had a limited number of choices when purchasing goods and services. Before the web, consumers purchased goods and services from a local company or possibly through a catalog.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that total e-commerce sales for
2009 were $134.9 billion. More and more people are signing on to the web to make purchases. This has provided a significant opportunity for businesses, especially small to medium size businesses. Think about it. If I wanted to buy a bicycle ten years ago I would have went to my local Wal-Mart to make the purchase. That’s not the case today. I can get online and search specifically for the bike I want. It could be that I end up making the purchase from a small bike shop in Minnesota and have it shipped to me. The web has increased the purchasing power of consumers. We now have more choices and are not limited to what our local companies can offer. You are probably thinking what does this have to do with whether or not my company should have a blog? Everything.

It is your responsibility to differentiate yourself from your competition. It is much more difficult to do this today. Not only do you have to compete with your local competition, but you also have to compete with businesses in other cities, states, and even other countries. One way you can differentiate yourself from your competitors is with a blog. Consumers want to feel good about their purchases. I will gladly pay $10, $25, or $50 extra to a business that I feel understands my circumstances and reaches me on a personal level. That is exactly what a blog is…personal. It could be that I chose to purchase my bike from the online company in Minnesota rather than my local Wal-Mart because the company in Minnesota spoke to me in a different way through a blog.

A blog creates a feeling with consumers that they are getting inside knowledge. It helps companies establish relationships with their customers, which by default leads to trust. Do you want to see an increase in online sales or see your website become a tool rather than an expense? Get on a personal level with your consumers.

Another reason you should have a blog is because it keeps your website updated with fresh content. Common sense tells us that people are not going to visit your website repeatedly if they see the same thing each time they visit. However, if your content is changing consistently they will continue to visit your website in order to remain informed. The opportunity to sale your products and services increases greatly with the more visits you have to your website and the longer people remain on your website.

Having a blog opens up so many avenues for companies. Think about the numerous ways you can keep your website visitors engaged through a blog.

1. Inform them of new products and services, or changes
   to existing products and services.
2. Offer online
   discounts and promotions to your blog readers.
3. Inform
   your readers of how your company is doing in relation to its’
   goals and objectives.
4. Post articles regarding your
   company’s involvement in charity (consumers love this).
5. Post information about your employees.

These are just a few of the ways you can utilize a blog to
reach out to your website visitors and customers. Do not use a
blog to bash your competition. This is one of the cardinal sins
of blogging. We, consumers, get really tired of negative
publicity. So, keep it positive and be consistent.

If you are still unsure if your company needs a blog you
apparently skipped this entire article and went straight to the
bottom hoping to find a summary. Well, here is your summary.
Yes, you need a blog. If you are on board and are ready to
implement a blog then we recommend using WordPress.

About the author:
Ray Goins is an author and owner of www.stopdev.com.

StopDev
provides web design and online marketing tips.

Since 1987, C and C Supply Company has been providing exceptional service and prompt delivery of industrial, welding, safety, and electrical products to contractors in the tri-state region.

 They have an existing, do – it – yourself website, but are now looking for a new, more professional approach to their site.

The new site will be created with WordPress, allowing the client to update the site with new products as needed.