Marketing has changed due to social media. But, this is not simply a change in venue, it’s a change in how you market. It’s about engaging potential/current clients.

It’s amazing to me that so many people still don’t get it. You’ll see it in Facebook and LinkedIn groups and on Twitter. People will hit you with ads on their first interaction. In truth, interaction isn’t accurate. They would have to listen to what you say and respond in kind for it to be an interaction. These people post their carp irregardless of what conversation is actually taking place. My response is delete, block, remove, etc. any trace of that person.

There’s a big lesson here. Long before you attempt to promote your services or product, you have to create a relationship with your potential market. That relationship should be one where you become a well-liked, trusted resource to your potential client/customer. They have to feel that when they have a need or a problem, you would be the person they would choose to help them out.

Talk to them, teach them, learn from them, and above all else listen to them.

I recently gave my first webinar. I’ve wanted to do a webinar for quite a while, but always found excuses for not getting around to it. (See… procrastination happens to all of us.) I gave this presentation to a select group of industry friends that wanted to know more about how to use social media to promote their business, organization, or cause.

The webinar site, gotowebinar.com allowed me to record it for future use. It’s this recording, with minor edits, that I now offer as a gift to help you and your businesses in 2010. Go to Social Media Marketing Basics and use the password: SMMBasics

I’d love to get your feedback on it to help me improve future webinars as I will be offering a 12 month “Business of Personal Training” webinar series.

May you and yours have a happy new year.

Mark