Social Networking Marketing Strategies | A Beginners Guide To Developing A Social Networking Marketing Strategy

It's hard to imagine that only ten years ago most people found out about products and services mainly through word of mouth and traditional media sources such as radio, television and print. That took place only until social networking came into play, and changed the way consumers received and dispersed information and started to develop their own online strategy. Individuals now can make purchase decisions with a flick of their wrist on a mouse, and click of a button on a keyboard or screen. And with a few good social networking tips and techniques in place, consumers can develop a strategy to influence what products are reflected positively and negatively through the internet. The role of traditional media has diminished, while a new social networking strategy has emerged from the wilderness.

The word of mouth characteristic of sales and marketing has not gone away, however. The speaking and listening over the phone or in person has lessened quite a lot, but now a consumer wanting to obtain more information or wanting to share more information can have much more impact through having social networking strategies in place. Instead of talking to one or two people, the potential is to reach hundreds, thousands, or even millions of consumers. For consumers to cut through the clutter of marketing is much easier now with “search” selections and a huge array of categories to choose from and disect powerful and targeted word of mouth reviews and recommendations. Social networking from the business perspective is a strategy to sell a product or service by getting connected with thousands and most likely millions of individuals who engage in social networking.

People crave information – both from the learning and the sharing side. The early forerunners of social networking were AOL (mainly personal networking), CompuServe (technical exchange), Tripod and Geocities. The basic principles that these formats shared was the exchange of information between members, at all times and days, across a wide range of topics. Here, the members of the social networking community communicated online, the basic premise of social networking strategy. But only until about 2006 were communications the leading time spent on the internet by individuals. Since then, content building is leading in time spent online. YouTube videos, vacation rentals, Craig’s List, eBay and a multitude of other social networking sites mentioned below are all involved in the strategy of communication and selling goods and services today.

Some of the more popular social networking sites include HubPages, Facebook, LinkedIn, Squidoo and Digg. Using a social networking strategy, companies can hire writers, “hubbers” or “bloggers” to create articles or posts that include information about their product or service. Consumers can create for free their own sites regarding these similar topics, while at the same time jumping in and commenting on others sites, adding dimension to the site through social networking. The strategy you put in placewill market a product without advertising at all. The advertiser, however, must realize that the consumers have control in social networking strategy and be ready to realize that with transparency and trust. Both parties need to be honest, as a reputation is on the line with invalid claims, much like it is with traditional media.

The traditional media is not out of style, however. Radio stations will Tweet (through Twitter) events and news to your cell phone or Twitter site with this form of social networking strategy. Television and radio station hosts have Facebook pages or Digg sites where they promote products and services they endorse. Consumers are beginning to be overwhelmed with the sheer mass of advertising – in print, on the television, on the computer, the radio and outdoors. A business putting into place a social networking strategy is much less of an affront to the consumer and more easily pursued than reading, listening to or clicking on an advertisement. People are constantly searching for sites to learn more about a multitude of topics and to post their own knowledge. In addition, the consumers are turning it around because these site producers, many of them consumers, have the potential to earn money through the posting of ads that are related to their particular article. When compelling enough, people will click on the accompanying advertisement, with the social marketing writer, hubber or blogger earning money for the click as their strategy for income.

Individuals of all ages, races and both sexes are participating in social networking, so one strategy to build on your influence would be to do some individual research to find out what social networking sites your target audience uses the most. Most of the social networking sites do not ask for specific demographics when sign-up is conducted, so a short research study in your area might be wise. Your company may be able to hire a research firm, but here are a few ideas if not. Compile a list of some of the most popular social networking sites and either send a blast email to your customers with them completing answers to the most used social networking site, an age range, race and sex question. You could also do an informal survey with fellow church members, friends and family. A store or restaurant may even be willing to have you set up a table at the entrance. Make the survey about social networking easy to fill out, with no other information except demographics to make it the least threatening and the most inviting.

As you may have realised, there is a huge opportunity for using a social networking in your personal and business life and it’s vital to understand what your strategy is before stepping off on the wrong foot and finding yourself in deep water. To find out more, just Google “Social Networking,” and “Social Networking Sites” to find out what other people are saying about this thriving consumer-driven form of communication and develop your social networking strategy from there.

Before you do take a quick lesson from the kindergarten by readiing a true tale of authenticity.