I assume you subscribe to Web2Center because you are either learning how to include social media marketing tactics intoyour established marketing efforts or you are already a seasoned SMMer and are keen on seeing the madness, I mean methods, of your colleagues.

I am the latter and frequent a good many blogs that share social media marketing tips and tactics.

For the beginners out there however, social media marketing is truly an amorphous concept that is difficult to define. I remember how confused I was in the beginning.

While the “landscape” changes on a daily basis, there are a few standard social media venues that will prove to be fertile ground for basic social media marketing. These tasks will always push you a little farther ahead in your site branding, link building and traffic generating efforts.

The Power of 3

1. Social Networks: Visit 3 Social Networks (i.e. Digg, Sphinn, Propeller, etc…) at least 3 times a week and interact 3 times. Most people read and read and then read some more (or should I say browse and browse - I only think about 5% read anymore) when they visit social networks. But remember, you are “working”, you need to interact and build authority in your selected social networks. Only then will the pure readers/browsers be inclined to visit your posts or read your profile.

2. Blog Commenting: Visit 3 blogs related directly or indirectly to your niche and leave a valuable comment. The comment need not be long and wordy. Short, but to the point works fine. But, make sure the point is really sharp! Of course, do not forget to either link back to your blog or provide some sort of branding message so your comment is not just a comment but also a perfectly good bit of social media marketing.

3. Bookmarking and Clipping: As you read related blogs in an effort to leave valuable comments, you will inevitably come across truly insightful or interesting stuff (or perhaps something you vehemently disagree with). Each time this little trigger goes off in your head, open Clipmarks or eSnips and clip that content. Again, aim for 3 clips on each of the days that you go through this “power of three” cycle. Likewise, bookmark the 3 sites where you found the great content and use your comment as the description in your bookmark.

The number 3 has no significance and is not some sort of wierd exponential SEO trick. This is meant to keep you moving and make you get involved. In other words,

“It is easier to hit the target when there is something to aim at.”

In review:

Your Targets

3 Social Networks

3 Blog Comments

3 Clips and Bookmarks

Why Bother?

Now I can hear some of you saying, “Why should I do all of this selfless social media interaction?”

Well, as many of your more experienced colleagues will tell you, don’t be an antisocial social media marketer.

Don’t do “drive-by” submission of only your own content to the social networks and then expect the community tobeat the door down rushing to see your site.

Don’t slap crappy one-liners up as blog comments and think you are helping anyone, including yourself.

And don’t waste you time building a bookmark list or clip folders full of your own stuff, that’s what your blog’s for.

You have to give to get, that is what social media marketing is all about.

The good news is, when social media marketing is done right, you get tons of traffic and subscribers in exchange for a few hours of consistent generosity.

So, hang in there beginners, in time your daily SMM efforts will accumulate quickly and soon you will see your posts on the first page of Google and your RSS count pop.