Social Media Marketing Interview Series Part 1 – Mat Siltala

Posted on 23. Apr, 2009 by Nate in SMO, Starting an Online Business

What’s Social Media Marketing?

How do I get started?

Can I turn social media in to cash?

Admit it, unless you are “in the industry” of online marketing and eat, sleep and breathe this stuff, you’ve probably had questions just like these.  I know I did about five years ago.  I then took a step in the dark, enrolled in a one-to-one personalized education program, and my online marketing life was “born”.

As I mentioned the other day, this is Part 1 of a 5 part interview series with some of the worlds BEST Online Marketers.

Not only have these social media marketers taken the time to answer specific questions about social media, but they’ve even given some of their “step by step” tips on how to get started and how to make money with social media.

And now, without further “blah, blah, blah” – let’s get started:

Introduction

Matt Siltala has been heavily involved in the Internet marketing world for several years. He has consulted with thousands of companies around the world. He spends his time as an owner of a well-know SEO firm, being an avid blogger and SEO blogger, also owning several successful eCommerce websites. It’s easy to see that Matt loves what he does for a living.

(Mat has been a key contributor to all the success I’ve had in the world of online marketing.  In April 2005 Mat was my mentor at Prosper and took me from knowing nothing about online marketing to where I am today – Thanks Mat!)

1. Where should I start with Social Media Marketing? I think the first place to start with is Twitter.  I would do a search for keywords that are in your similar industry and see how those individuals are using Twitter.  I would see how they interact with others and what other social platforms they are “pitching” so to speak.  I would also suggest getting accounts at Stumble Upon, Digg, Reddit and Delicious and start to save/vote for/bookmark everything they can related to their industry.  Do not worry so much about pushing your own content right away, but rather building up a community of people around you.  Only do this after you have observed how the community would best work for your industry though.
2. Why is social media marketing such an important part of success with a new online business? or is it? I think a business will fail online if they are not embracing social media.  It is an amazing platform to get your content right in front of people who are looking for and interested in it.  People love to share and recommend – its just in our nature and if you are not embracing the power of these social networks that allow this – you are missing out on an insane amount of traffic.
3. What are some of the main tools all new social media marketers should learn how to use if they plan to survive? I think the social media for Firefox tool from 97th Floor is a MUST.  You should also be familiar with all of the tools that each and everyone of the social networks that you are a part of have – for example if you are a member of Digg – you better make sure you understand how to use the Digg toolbar, and same with Stumble Upon and so on.
4. Is social media marketing at all tied to monetization?  If so, how?  If not, why not?  I think its all about making connections and in any business – more connections – more business = more money because more people are pushing your stuff and recommending your products/services etc.
5. Please share one specific social media marketing experience that you attribute to financial success.  I love Twitter, and because so many people come to me for my recommendations on various aspects of Internet businesses, I have been able to make a lot of money by referring people to other people/programs/individuals they need because they requested so on Twitter.  This has been a huge source of revenue and why I feel everyone needs to build as big of a following as they can on Twitter.
6. Where do you see social media marketing going in the next 3 years? I have been really using social media for just about that amount of time so far and to be honest not that much has changed.  It all comes down to this – Can you make friends and build a community of people around you?  Its just like normal everyday community life.  You make friends, you get recommendations from your neighbors, you talk to them about stuff they like – they talk about stuff you like etc.  I see it being a huge part of marketing in the future and see it going nowhere!!
7. Is social media marketing taking over the world of organic search engine optimization as we once knew it?  I think with the results of Twitter search showing up in the SERPs there is no way to answer that then, YES.  But I have seen social platforms in the SERPs for years and it’s nothing new to someone that has been using it and seeing it already.  It just shows you that its another area that Internet businesses need to be focusing on!  I would suggest now is still a very good time to get into it and embrace it.  You have not missed the opportunity yet – I still feel like its in its infancy!!

Conclusion

Thanks again to Mat Siltala of Dream Systems Media for taking time out of his busy schedule to help all of us learn more about social media marketing.  Mat is a great mentor and friend.  If you are a company looking to grow your online reputation with high level SEO consulting, I definitely recommend speaking with Mat.

Some of my favorite highlights:

• “…first place to start with is Twitter”
• “…getting accounts at Stumble Upon, Digg, Reddit and Delicious”
• “…building up a community of people around you”
• “…business will fail online if they are not embracing social media”
• “…its all about making connections and in any business – more connections – more business = more money”
• “…make a lot of money by referring people to other people”
• “Can you make friends and build a community of people around you?”

Part 2 – Interview with Chris Bennett of 97thFloor.com Coming Soon…