There is no other low-cost promotional method out there that will easily give you large numbers of visitors, some of whom may come back to your website again and again. - Maki, DoshDosh

In today’s business world, a business is only as strong as it’s marketing strategy or campaign. Without an effective marketing guideline or path to follow it is no surprise that a business will sink. With the rise of web, social media marketing has become one of the most cheapest or free source of massive traffic and attention from potential customers. However, most businesses and users don’t understand the basic concept that lies behind social media marketing. Social media marketing isn’t about immediate attention. It is about brand building, brand awareness and long term attention and loyalty from prospective customers. This is only possible after you have put in due amount of time and effort in the social media scene.

This post highlights 10 ways you can build a brand and use social media to market your business.

1. Create an identity, a brand for yourself on a social media site. Social Media marketing unlike other forms of marketing is a slow process. The key to SM marketing is being recognized first which certainly takes time. Your brand and your identity within that particular community defines who you are and how effective you can be in marketing, both for your clients or yourself.
2. Watch what you do because everybody else does. Watch your manners! being behind a computer certainly gives an added bonus of doing whatever and saying whatever you want. But if you are looking to grow within a network and become a part of it, this is something you certainly want to keep in mind. Politeness and good manners, they don’t go wrong anywhere and the same is true when it comes to Social Media.
3. Be active. If you want to network and get in on a powerful network of people on a social media site, the key is to be consistent. Do not use a site or its services half heartedly. Put in time and effort consistently and the results will be more than you expect.
4. Your profile is your brief bio. Most social media users tend to ignore their profile. This is a wrong step towards networking. Add links to your sites, blogs and other social media site where you are active. Give other users a chance to connect with you on a personal basis through IM and such.
5. Be careful in what you choose. Make sure to choose a site that fits with your personality or will help you network with like minded people. Study SM sites before you decide to jump in on one and work hard to earn, well, nothing. Do your due study before hand so you can network with the right people.
6. It’s a slow process. Networking and marketing through Social Media is a slow process. If you don’t have the patience to wait for something good to come along, SM won’t do much good. It’s all about building a brand, getting to know others and building yourself as one of the powerful force that drives the community within. There is no immediate gain but the long term return is much more than initial gain.
7. Be a host, welcome others. Most users tend to ignore new users as they are pre-occupied by trying to impress the power users. This is a wrong approach. New users can be as effective in near future as the current power users simply because they might rise to that status as well. Again, it takes time but be welcoming. Be seen as someone who is influential, who is willing to help, who is willing to give without asking. Build yourself as the guardian and you will get your dues back.
8. It’s all about them. We all want things in return and the same is true for your contact too. One of the reasons most people fail in social media scene is because they fail to give. Before you ask, try giving. Ask your contacts and network what you can do for them and do your best to fulfill their needs. Next it will be your turn and when you give without asking you get without asking for it as well. It’s a win win situation.
9. Become an early adopter. Not asking you to be a guinea pig, but one of the sure fire ways to become known and establish yourself as someone influential is to get in early. Take for example, if you are early at an event and get a chance to invite everybody in through the door, you are most likely to be known by all. Be an early adopter and invite the new one’s in. Welcome them and show them around.
10. Become a community builder. One thing that will help you tremendously in networking and becoming influential is if you become an active participant in building the community. Be the voice, let others know how things can change for better and what needs to be done.Be the leader. Remember, people like to follow. Establish yourself as a community builder, a leader within that community. As time passes by you will have enough to reap for all your hard work.

There are hundred more ways you can build a brand and use it to market your business. We came up with 10 indirect ways, it’s your turn to share some ideas and thoughts. Whether it is direct social media marketing or indirect, please share some of your expertise and knowledge with us as well.