Social media marketing is important for companies to target niche audiences and have conversations with their markets. Companies should participate in online conversations about their brand to stay relevant. Setting up a social media strategy can generate brand awareness, increase traffic and sales, and build brand communities at no cost to the company beyond the time invested. Companies that do not engage with online conversations risk losing opportunities to communicate directly with their customers.

1. Social media marketing Why should you care? With the proliferation of niche sites and communities on the Internet, it’s becoming increasingly important to target long tail search terms and cast a wide net. Social media is online applications, platforms and media which aim to facilitate interaction, collaboration and the sharing of content (Wave 3, 2008).

2. Some social media sites Social Bookmarking RSS readers Microblogging

4. Why set up a Social Media Strategy ?