This is a guest post from Lynn Terry of ClickNewz, successful internet marketer for well over a decade, and blogging full-time for more than five years…

A lot of online marketers view Social Media properties as a means of getting traffic to their blog or website, or as a way to get inbound links. This creates a lot of noise in the social media spaces, flooding info streams on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

You can push content out, pull feeds in, use software programs to automate your processes. Auto DM’s on Twitter for example, are a robot-like way to “connect” with your new followers. Or so people think…

I’m all for automation and systems in my online business, and use them strategically. I use post-dating features in WordPress to schedule blog posts, autoresponders to follow up with new customers or subscribers, and scheduled email notifications for my readers to receive my latest blog updates.

But with Social Media, standing out from the noise in your readers’ info-stream is extremely important. If you really want to stand apart, and connect with your target audience, consider these 5 important elements in your Social Media strategy:

1. Reply/Respond – First!

I check in daily on my Social Media properties, my favorites being Twitter & Facebook, and I focus in on replies and mentions. You may not have time to get involved in the active stream of updates from others, but you’ll do well just to reply to any tweets or replies. The same with Facebook – I check first for any new messages on my wall, or replies to my own wall posts.

No matter how good your information is, if you only push out content and never respond to replies or questions… you’ll quickly become part of the noise in their info-stream. Ignore, and you’ll be ignored.

2. Be Resourceful, Not Just Self-Promotional

To be a true Market Leader in your niche, you’ll want to be the “go-to guy” for all things relevant. Break news, share blog posts you’re reading, retweet or share updates from other Market Leaders in your space.

While you may think “hey, I’ll be promoting my competitors!”, the truth is that you’ll providing valuable content to your readers. They will appreciate the updates, and make it a point to keep an eye on your for more interesting links.

Obviously you’ll mix your own updates and links in with these, and the end result is that you’re considered a valuable resource. Not just self-promotional.

3. Engage, Ask Questions

In addition to sharing solid information on a regular basis, and responding to any comments or questions, you also want to be the discussion-starter. Ask your friends & followers questions, or engage them in an active discussion about a hot topic.

If you’re niche is Time Management, ask them which techniques they use and like to manage their busy schedules. If your niche is Gift Ideas, ask them the best gift they’ve ever given – or received. You get the idea.

People like to be heard. Giving them an ear will ensure they also give you theirs.

4. Let Your Readers Do The Promotion

Be sure that you include Social Media options with your content that encourages your readers to Stumble, Digg, Tweet, bookmark your page, or share your content on Facebook.

While publishing your own links on your own profiles is a good strategy, what other’s share and say about you will carry much more weight than what you share or say yourself. Make it easy!

5. Join Conversations About You, Your Site & Your Products

There are several ways to track conversations across the web. You’ll want to set up Google Alerts for your name, your domain(s), and your product titles. This will send you an email alert of any blog posts or mentions so that you can view them and join in on those discussions.

Posting a simple “thank you for the mention” is a good start, but you can also check for issues or questions that need to be addressed. Don’t let a conversation about your product hang out there without acknowledgment.

In addition to Google Alerts, you can set up a column in TweetDeck for an ongoing search of keyword mentions. You can also use http://search.twitter.com to search manually.

One of my personal favorites is http://www.ubervu.com which allows you to track mentions and conversations across all of Social media – including FriendFeed, YouTube, Twitter, Blogs & Blog Comments, etc. UberVU is especially helpful as it tracks links even when they are shortened by TinyURL or Bit.ly

6. Be You, Not Your Brand

Even if you are using Social Media to promote a company and/or a brand, you want to be the human element behind that logo or username. Make sure that people know who you are, and how to address you personally as a start.

As an example, I follow @Aweber on Twitter. But I also follow @JustinPremick – Director of Education Marketing at Aweber. It’s Justin that I usually have personal conversations with regarding Aweber features or specific services they offer.

People like to do business with people.

There is a big difference between being ON Social Media properties, and being engaged in Social Media.

You may not have time to read every single tweet from every single person you are following, or keep up with your Facebook friends’ hourly updates. But you can organize your information streams strategically, and focus on industry news & events to share with your followers and friends.

And if nothing else make sure you respond to every conversation about you, to you, or in direct response to your updates. Being accessible and personally engaged is what will make you truly stand out from all of the Social Media noise – head and shoulders above your competition.

Best,

See Lynn’s own Twitter Marketing Strategy and Internet Marketing Blog for even more great tips on Social Media & online business success.

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