Using social networking sites to promote your business

[self-sale]

Good morning,

Who uses such sites to promote their business and is it of any value?
What benefit do they offer and what advice would you give to make the most of them?

Some links to some examples would be good.

Thanks

[OnlyFair]

Morning

This is my Facebook page. This has produced a handful of sales, a couple of which were local.

This is my Myspace page. No sales as yet but to be fair I haven't done as much with it as I could.

Personally, I think FB is a good option - I also set up a page for my family's company and they've had sales from it too.

The only problem I find is trying to keep the content updated and unique so that people find something different when they visit.

Does anyone have any other site suggestions?

Kate

[RayB]

I've only really played with Facebook, which does refer some traffic and sales - but TBH the best form of Social Networking for Business is to participate on online Business Forums IMO (ok I'm biased)

A1 Business Forums:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/A1-Bus...rum/7285599958
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8837798602

A Local Printer:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Storri...ter/9853216580
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8423248234

[Alex Upstream]

I wrote a short blog post about marketing through Facebook (and why it can be useful) here.

[CPLTD]

I wrote a short blog post about marketing through Facebook (and why it can be useful) here.

Good blog post thank you

[mike.user]

Hi self-sale, there is not much use of social networking sites/..unless there is a group thats present there and your product appeals to them in a goo way...most of the SEO techniques dont target them as they dont gather the traffic that they intend....so its up to you to decide the way

[Gamesman]

Should be ideal for me with on-line lottery and on-line games.

I've started a Facebook account and see how it goes,

Thanks for that blog link by the way...

.

[davewilkinson]

I've got a Facebook account and a Linkedin account. I also use Twitter from time to time. In general I think they're all just time wasters. But that could be just because I haven't had any business from them yet.

[James]

I believe that social networking sites only work for certain types of business (a bit like Yellow pages works for plumbers)...especially if you happen to have any product targeting teenagers.

James.

[Beneddie1112]

They should be useful for the products I will be selling, T-shirts .

I think they'd be useful for Alvin's jet ski's. Loads of people would like to own one, therefore joining the group, and if they come in to some money, see you on their Facebook and buy one .

Cheers,
Ben