Groups Marketing
Are You Into Grouping?
The Benefit of Joining Groups
We discuss other forms of social networking in other parts of this book. Let’s not forget another largely ‘untapped’ or ‘forgotten’ resource. Joining groups is a great way to network, gain exposure, and get – YES, you guessed it – more links!Many people who aren’t ready to get involved in social bookmarking, have no interest in socializing on a website’s forum, have no particular interest in videos, and don’t like the idea of subscribing to RSS feeds may still consider joining a group.
Therefore, you don’t want to overlook this opportunity to get your message across in this area.Groups are a great social networking place for finding categorized groups of people with similar interests and concerns. You can target topics that are good matches for your networking goals. In this way, you are not a tiny fish in a huge pond, but you actually stand a chance to get into a group and get some results in a reasonable amount of time.Whether you use:
http://www.groups.google.com/
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| Subscribe to The Ultimate Automatic System Online |
| Visit this group |
or another group system; you can follow certain procedures that will help you to assimilate in the group.
Don’t be afraid to jump in and make comments, ask questions, and get involved. Remember that you are not merely socializing, but ‘presenting yourself’. You want to portray yourself as an expert, so use some sales-savvy when you join a discussion. If you want to stir things up with controversy, make sure that you do it without alienating a portion of the group because that is a bad marketing move.
Think of it this way – If you are out socializing with your friends, you can let it all hang out. If you go out with your boss, the board of directors, and a group of work peers who you hope to supervise soon;you will be social and approachable but you probably will not wear a lamp shade and dance on the table. Use the same common sense on groups.
„LISTEN CAREFULLY!!You catch their attention with your clever comments, but you call them to action with your signature line. Make sure that your signature line reflects your business. Big and bold is great for some businesses, but will be off-putting for others. Make sure that you present your links in a way that encourages people to pay you a visit. You also have to be careful to follow the rules of the group you’ve joined. Different groups allow different signature lines.
„These links are golden for you. Use keywords to direct people and search engines properly and make sure that you welcome them with a landing page carefully designed to draw that particular group into your site.
„Start a Group! Consider getting YOUR keywords, YOUR name, and YOUR business on the cutting edge by starting your own group.
Google Groups Overview
‘Google groups’ combines groups for networking with their email service.It is easy to sign up and there are a lot of nice features that can help you optimize your presence in a group.
For example, they have four new features. You can make your own web pages within a group. Groups can work together on shared web pages. Each group can customize their group with color, images, and styles. File sharing is a huge resource for an online entrepreneur. You can upload and share your work and message with other people in the group.
This is a great resource for distribution, but you must be careful that it doesn’t in any way resemble spam.Google member profiles are not only a great way to learn about other members, but you can set up a great page for yourself with LINKS to your website and RSS feeds!!
It’s easy to set up a profile and FREE. Just take a little time and make it happen! Getting a good ranking on a group is easier than getting a good ranking on Google itself, but it is a first step.
The following screen shot shows the home page for Google Groups. You start out on this page and subscribe.
Yahoo Groups Overview
Yahoo Groups works as electronic mailing lists and as group forums.Messages can be read as a post or as emails. There are options for receiving the information through individual emails and through daily digests.
There are features that give users a chance to individualize their experience with the group.There are moderators, but the members get to create and direct the development of the group.
As with Google Groups, a Yahoo Group user can set up a profile and court links from both ‘real people’ and search engines. It is important for them to resist the temptation to spam!
Other Groups
There are other groups that generally address niche markets.These groups are great resources because they can narrow your focus and help you to target your audience.
Many organizations, business areas, and non profits are setting up groups.
Don’t miss out on this way to develop relationships and links because it may be one of the best opportunities you have for making quality links.For example, if you are targeting home health care markets, you can find many examples of caregiver support groups that may benefit from your information.
If you don’t barge in with a sales pitch, but rather offer expertise in a respectful and empathetic way, you may develop extremely solid and lasting relationships with powerful groups.
A cancer care giving group will not want a rough-shod sales pitch, but valuable information on how to deal with thrush or bedsores may be received with many thanks. As with anything else in life, if you offer something valuable and treat people with respect, it will pay off in the long run.
Let’s focus on Google Groups.
Follow these steps:
1. Set up your profile
2. Join groups – visit at least 15 minutes per day
3. Spend a week adjusting to the groups
4. Start your own group
5. Spend 15 minutes per day checking out other groups and at least 20 minutes per day maintaining your own groups-
How do you find groups?
Insert your ‘keyword’ + group in the search engines