Someone asked me the other day.

Why do I need to utilize social media marketing in my business? My response was, "it is a huge part of marketing your business!" In all honesty, I continue to wonder why people are still asking this question!

A lot of times, when people are interested in something they go online to read reviews and brand ambassadors' communications before making a decision.

By now, you have read tirelessly about what is social media. You might get different responses, but I am going to sum it up into one basic definition.

Social Media marketing (or new media marketing) is a quickly emerging avenue for individuals and businesses to engage in two-way communications with their audiences. When individuals begin to market themselves using social media, it is called personal branding.

Personal branding can also expand to the offline realm as well. Businesses that engage in social media marketing are simply utilizing another method of expanding their market and discovering newly-defined targets and quality leads.

As the conversation continued, I discovered some common arguments made by those who are either resistant to get on board, or by those who simply cannot grasp the concept.

Most notable is the argument, ‘what is the ROI of social media?' When I hear this question, I normally respond by asking, ‘when you create a commercial on your local television channel, what is the ROI?'

They usually proceed by stumbling over an answer, and end by telling me the number of potential viewers that might have seen the commercial.

Is mass marketing dead? No, but it just suffered a stroke! With innovation of Tivo, I don't have to look at commercials anymore! In stark contrast to mass marketing tactics, I believe social media is more targeted and trackable-especially with the web market research and analytics. What is even more powerful is when businesses integrate new media with traditional marketing.

For example, at the end of commercial, you prompt the audience to text to a specific number. So what are the benefits of engagement? I see Five major benefits to engaging in social media marketing.

Increased number of clients.

You must be diligent and concise in your communications to attract the attention of new clients and keep your business top-of-mind with customers and potential customers. If you are constantly sending out well-written, attractive communications, they will eventually check your business with the online community of bloggers and reviewers. If they are impressed, they will buy from you!

Referrals can come from from a number of sources. In new media marketing, referrals can come from past clients who blog or tweet positively about your business, people who subscribe to your communications, and anyone else who have seen your business mentioned discussed positively multiple times.

See the full article at http://latron.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/benefits-of-social-media-marketing-for-businesses-and-personal-brands/