Social networking is becoming a hot topic in the online marketing arena and it should be. Where else can you get thousands, if not millions of users (potential clients), using the same application consistently, day after day? Social networks.
The concept is simple; allow people from all over the world to connect with one another from wherever they may be. It is a lot easier to market to the masses if they are all in one place. Marketing within social networks seems simple, get your name out there and watch the leads roll in, right? Well, maybe. Like any marketing campaign, you need a strategy. There is a saying that relates to celebrities, “Any press is good press.” That statement doesn’t exactly apply to businesses. If you make a poor first impression, you could alienate a large audience rather quickly and they may never give your business a second look. An audience is forgiving of celebrities because they are entertaining, business don’t fall within that category.
If you are going to draw a mass group of potential clients to your website, you better be able to captivate them. You should view social networks as an extension of your marketing strategy, not your sole marketing strategy. Know your social networks. Learn which ones to target per campaign and the most effective method for that network and be patient. Unless you have the next iPhone, your product may take some time to gain momentum. Aside from the potential negative effects of a poor social networking campaign, you could be just wasting valuable time and resources that could be better spent. Once you learn and can profile each social network and their demographic, you can be on your way to being a more effective social networker.
