Social Media Marketing Consultancy, Market Your Startup Maria Berneiser an interview
Tell me about Maria:
Well, I am the CEO of Market Your Startup. My goal is to show my clients how they can advertise their product and services efficiently without spamming people. I teach businesses how to use Social Media efficiently, so it will contribute to their company’s growth and success. I am originally from Germany and living abroad has taught me to think outside the box and be creative. Moving back and forth between Germany, China and the US has taught me the importance of a strong network and how to build mutually beneficial relationships between very different cultures.
Tell me about your Company?
Market Your Startup is a small Social Media Marketing Consultancy based in San Diego. Even though Market Your Startup is still a small company, we have clients all over the US and in Europe. We focus on Startups and SMEs, as Social Media can be the most cost-efficient Marketing method for companies with a smaller Marketing budget. Our clients get an individualized Social Media campaign, according to what makes most sense for them at an affordable price. Market Your Startup created several packages for any budget, so our clients can decide if they want to focus on Social Media networks, blogging or more traditional marketing tools, such as Newsletters or Press Releases. Our clients love it, because it gives them the flexibility to choose and they know beforehand, what it will cost them!
What is the biggest tip you would give to a newbie in social media?
This is rather SLIC:
Share
Listen
Inform
Connect
Instead of focusing on sales, you should focus on building a trusting relationship and show people your interest in their ideas. Don’t expect quick and easy money from Social Media. Social Media will benefit your company as a whole, from branding, to customer satisfaction, word-of-mouth advertising, customer service and more.
What do advertisers do that you wish they wouldn’t?
Not focusing on their client’s target market!!! Invest in some good market research, so you know who your target audience is and where they hang out. Concentrate on selling to the people that are already interested in your product or service and are more likely to convert and stop selling it to everybody. Then, one day, people will start thinking about advertisement as a source of information, because they will receive information about products and services they are actually interested in and want to know more about!
What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t?
Use their company blog as another sales channel! Instead of using this medium to create trust and inform people about your company, your products or services in a “non-pushy” way, a lot of companies see it as another opportunity to sell, sell, sell! Rather give them useful information that they are interested in, create a platform of direct communication with your prospects and customers and offer helpful advice!
Where do you see growth in the social media field?
Most of today’s Social Media efforts are targeted towards consumers, I think there will also be a growing market for B2B Social Media efforts. This has already begun in the technology sector, as they are always the early adaptors, but I believe it will spread to other industries as well.
What do you do to improve the world?
A little here and a little there, but I wish I could do more!
What do you do that is green?
Hey, I am European, being green is natural to us!
What’s your favorite book?
Tribes – We need you to lead us by Seth Godin
What is on your iPod?
Quite a mix, actually – from Bad Religion to Mozart
What are your contact details (email, company, blog, facebook, myspace, forums, etc)?
Maria@(nospam)MarketYourStartup.com
www.MarketYourStartup.com
http://www.retaggr.com/Page/MarketYourStartup
How do you prefer to communicate?
Personally and if that is not possible, email.
Who would you recommend, and why?
Seth Godin: He shows how you can achieve great results without spamming people!
Darren Rowse: For bloggers of all levels one of the best sources of information and his forum on ProBlogger.com is the best
Marko Saric: He gives you all the information on blogging, promotion and more on Howtomakemyblog.com
Pete Cashmore: For making Social Media “Mainstream”
Brian Bell: He created Blogengage.com, and is definitely the best platform moderator you will ever find!
Chris Brogan: The way he writes is just inspiring!
Lynn Terry: The best source of information for internet marketers, affiliates and more
