Internet marketing has been around since the internet itself.
Trends come and go, but the marketing has stayed relatively the same.
The idea is to be seen by as many people as possible.
Marketing techniques can be honed and directed at one particular niche, but the basic idea is to ensure that many people know about your website and visit it often.
To that end, social networking sites are taken advantage of these days in order to drive traffic.
The sheer power of a social networking site like Facebook is undeniable.
Harness that power and use it to drive traffic to your site, and you're dealing with a heavy influx of potential customers and a lucrative business.
How would you harness Facebook and use it as an Internet marketing tool? Well, to learn how to use it correctly, it's first important to go over a few ways to do it incorrectly.
First and foremost, nobody likes a spammer.
If you're setting up a Facebook page with the sole intent of linking people to sites, you're probably not going to last long at all.
Also, if you're found to be a fake in the game, word that you are a source of spam will spread on a social networking site like you wouldn't believe, leaving your business all but dead.
You come across as a spammer by not being involved with the site.
If you're expected to use Facebook to your advantage, then you first have to use Facebook.
This is a site where it's all about personal interaction within a large community.
You have to participate in that community to be taken seriously.
Throwing a link up in people's faces through their mailboxes saying "click me" will be ignored and even reported to the site's administration and you'll be banned.
When using Facebook, be real.
Use your real picture; add some of your real friends if they have accounts.
Start off using it as a social networking site before you use it as a business site.
This is the only tried-and-true way to make it work.
Next, you'll be able to find plenty of friends to add within your respective niche.
You'll just have to remain very active and get in contact with many people to put on your friends list.
Be friendly, forward and take part in the networking.
Give to receive.
Making a business profile for Facebook is also a move many are trying.
It's not nearly as personable and people are definitely aware that you're there to sell something, but you can still build up a nice base of friends, join some groups and exchange links with others to drive traffic.
If you're able to look for other marketers, then link exchanging is definitely a great way to harness the power of the site.
Either way, you can link back to your blog or business site from your personal profile, and the more people you're in contact with, the more people will check it out.
If you're selling something people want, word will definitely spread.