Social Network Marketing – The Future of Consumer-Brand Relations

Social Network Marketing – The Future of Consumer-Brand Relations

Do you have a social network marketing strategy?

Let’s go a bit off-board and get psychological.  What did you do today?  Well, you  woke up, you went to work, as everyone has been doing for however many years we’ve been doing that now – you flirted at the water cooler.  And you know what else you did?  Dare I say, did proudly?  For the nth time, you checked your Facebook, and you tweeted some, and you emailed some more.  And probably all on your iPhone, you unashamedly modern person.

What has changed now then?  The answer?  We’ve all changed.    Consumers have grown up.  And what is the seat of this shift in consumer politics?  Digital communication of course such as email.

Email accounts today are the digital fortresses of our ego: it is from our email we reach out and, after the single quick search engine-scavange, contact whoever we damn please.  ‘Things used to be simple’, says Alan Duncan, marketing director of Sony.  ‘You launch a product and then you let it go’.  So much cannot be said for the times today, lest you get relentlessly googled, emailed, and had bad word-of-mouth spread about you like — well, whatever bad word of mouth gets spread around like. Brands, having just wiped the sweat from their brow after wrestling with the tough generation X, and, later,  generation Y, have very quickly realized that the world has again lurched; but this time, it has lurched with never-before-seen audacity.

And now the final invitation is extended and the truth is revealed.  Welcome to the cybergens, the cyber generation: the latest in a long line of opponents to the marketing machine.  But, ho – brands, a little uncharacteristically  it seems, seem prepared this time – an effective weapon have they; one that  specifically targets this ‘always-online’ new market.  Indeed, a method with near-dangerous amounts of success: social network marketing

Let us examine your usual web-browsing session.  You check your RSS page, you check your email; you check your facebook, check your twitter;  and, a mystery until very recently, you’re probably texting as well.  Statistics on facebook dictate that 6 billion minutes a day is spent on facebooking.  And that’s just facebooking.  

This is it; congratulations, you are today’s brand new consumer (with yes, the pun for once being intended), falling prey to the ubiquitous phenomenon of social network marketing.    No – not fallen prey, but completely assimilated.  Seamlessly integrating with everything ‘new-media’ you could possibly engage in, it indeed seems like the dawn of a new sleek, digi-horizon.  And you don’t mind either.  – But what about this newfangled method.  Why.

A quick history lesson: in days of old, business worked differently.  Brands were strict parents.  We did what we were told and we took the veracity of such teachings absolutely for granted.  The cane was still a teacher’s favourite at schools of old, and everyone meanwhile sauntered round in starchy shirts, half-muttering ‘yes… discipline and obedience.  Good’.

Such was the way of old.
Such are the ways no longer.  

Why not though?  Well, of course the ‘why’ has a lot owed to the recent explosion of ‘Web 2.0’, the mischievous Youtubery; Google-mania, Facebook -mayhem (and, more recently), Twitterjabber.  Tolstoy once famously said that war was the locomotive of change.  Well, today, us all shiny and beardless, we may remark, apparently even cleverer then the old fellow could have hoped to be, that no: such is not the case.  The warhorses of change are none other than the demons mentioned above.  And we are the agents insidiously infected by all of it.  The world, where it used to be as a product of complex calculations and compasses, lies now at our not-so proverbial fingertips.  Brand best realise that we have become a digital people; social network marketing perfectly slots into our new digital ways.

And yes, yes, decry, panic, lament, etc. etc.; but the effect on the consumer-brand relation has seen unparalleled changes because of it.  At Sony, ‘online marketing and our other marketing branches have no difference’.  The world has instead morphed, becoming one big, thick, gloopy, cooking inbox, where  all is on your screen; everything of any possible relevance to you is all neatly in one place.  This is your world, and these are your profiles, your pages.  You have no intention, by any means, of taking any of that fuzzy old nonsense of yesteryear.  Newfangled is the new black.  If those suits want your currency, then golly, they’re going to have to work damn hard for it.

Today identity about digitally portrayed image, and the life of the cybergen is lived in shameless shortcuts.  The ‘one quick search’ approach has become common-place owing purely because of it’s convenience, with people being left dismayed and empty because of it.  

Bad news again as our satisfaction recedes, perhaps, but good news in our change of sheer demand.  The ripples of such an effect end up acutely felt on the respective brands duking it out for all your consumer’s digi-wallets.  Responsibility shifts once more: brands are snorted at for expecting times of old – now they do their own ethical work; we make of it what we please.  Well-known demonstrations of this change can be seen with for instance Marks and Spencer and their ‘Plan A’ pledges, or McDonalds’, and their blatant pandering to newly-savvy consumers with pictures of grass and cows all adorning the descriptions of their ‘healthy’ and / or ‘british’ ingredients.

With all this in mind then, the modern phenomenon of social network marketing is very quickly a phenomenon no longer.  People are constantly blabbering, twittering, facebooking, youtubing, texting, googling, and it’s about time brands took advantage of it.  It’s in their own interest –  says Graham Sim, marketing director of HMV, ‘one-on-one engagement has the potential to be far more cost-effective and get better customer response than the [previous] scattergun mentality of the mass-market approach’.  

Indeed, regarding its cost-effectiveness, social network marketing even reaches up to suits at the British Heart Foundation.   Head of Communications, David Barker: ‘if you place something on a social network site it can be picked up around the world in seconds’.   That’s certainly a lot faster then the brand’s themselves can manage.  Not without some vague irony, suddenly the consumer’s newfound pride is completely reversed: in our sheer demand demand demand, we have ended up doing the dirty work ourselves – and the machine still functions perfectly efficiently, saving time and money on both sides.

According to Barker, ‘media today is driven by the here and now’.  Social network marketing is not just shiny, sleek, and silver, and ‘young’.  No longer is this exclusively the territory of brave new cutting cutting-edge business: it is a cheap, effective, and incredibly rapid mode of modern marketing which like it or not, effortlessly ties in with the digital madness making up much of our lives today.  Once the strange unkempt billboard a few streets away, social network marketing has become, like it not, part of the wallpaper of modern-day life.

Paul Palmer is from the UK, he is a social networker, entrepreneur and web site optimisation specialist, specializing in SEO and social network marketing. Leave me a comment Id love to hear from you or visit my Internet Web Site Marketing blog.

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What You Need To Know About Network Marketing
This is exactly what the title indicates. Network marketing techniques that will save you time and money when you get started in network marketing. For those of you already in business, I also included 65 shock & awe marketing strategies.
What You Need To Know About Network Marketing


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Question by Christine M: What are the laws/requirements to operate a US based social network site or game site internationally?
I am fact checking. What are the legal requirements for a US based company that offers social network and games sites and expands into international markets. Meaning, is the company required to register in each company it expands to, or, does it only pay US taxes and follow US laws since that is where it is based. Note: the site charges a user fee.
Internet QUESTION

Best answer:

Answer by mel
if u go to europe, it depends on the individual europen country and some EU regs.
if in Asia – its still less regulated.
some countries dont have double taxation laws. but usa has it. so the profits u make in other countries are still taxable.
if u open a separate entity say, in HK, singapore, then u have to abide by their rules and pay their taxes but not usa.
many countries have double taxation rules with usa. u got to check with the treasury but u will be sent fr pillar to post. best to get an international finance lawyer

Give your answer to this question below!

Related Social Network Marketing Articles

Social Network Marketing Ethics

Social Network Marketing Ethics

As a business website owner, you must maintain integrity. Many of the social networking websites are
engaged in unethical behavior contributed by the website owners, which is a major drawback when trying to
market your products and services. There are many methods, which you as a responsible website owner
can establish the behavior performed on your business website.

Respect the privacy of people online

You must remain focused that while using social network marketing in your marketing toolbox for your
products and/or services that you’re involved with actual people that are internet users often referred to
as a community. Based on this community, your business will be a part of it but there’s no room for you to
invade people’s privacy. Do not send spam ever, this includes your friends, their friends and their friends
friends, etc.

The choices for your social networking strategies

Many marketers participate in social sites like FaceBook and MySpace with a plan to drive traffic to their
business websites. This is the ethical way however; spamming the social community with images or links in
order to lure them to your business website is unethical and will eventually by noticed by Google or other
search engines.

Do not spam people with ads to your business website

Social networking websites are very in tune and current with spamming practices, which are noticed as
unethical and will eliminate those who habitually perform such methods for their social media marketing.

Always be professional and honest with the online communities

To successfully use social networking as a method with integrity you need to participate ethically as a
member within the online communities. You need to register with that specific community in order to
become a member of the online community. Be a participant within the online groups, which are related to
your area of expertise or products and services, which your business offers. You want to make friends
within this online community while proving yourself an expert within the particular field, which you are
offering products and services.

Publish quality content on the social networking website

You will need to publish quality content upon these particular social networking websites. Avoid shoving
your products and services down the throats of the online community. Never mislead or give incorrect
information referencing your products and services.

Examples of unethical social networking behavior

A great example of such unethical behavior is leaving a blog or post within the online community while
disguising to be a customer endorsing your own products and services. Honesty is the best policy with the
online community, which you belong to that gives you the ability to explain your products and services. The
decision is up to the online community to view your products and services as compared to spamming them
information.

Never belittle your competitors. Never point out shortcomings of them either. You can however, specify
what makes your products and services different from your competition.

There are no set guidelines on ethical practices with online social network marketing however; you will need
to educate yourself with media law while knowing the potential dangers of defamation as well as invading
people’s privacy. Conduct yourself professionally as well as intellectually. If you follow these
guidelines of what not to perform, you will thrive in your goal of becoming successful.

 

If you have found this Article to be helpful & would like to learn more on how to make more money online for you or your business then Click Here

The Author of this article Daniel Stather is a Internet Marketing Mentor and Leader in the Home Based Business Industry, who works with other Industry Leaders around the world to help others achieve success and wealth through Internet Marketing. I have a passion for helping others achieve their goals, dreams and freedom!

To Your Success,

Daniel Stather

Article from articlesbase.com

Sabotaging Your Social Network Marketing Efforts

As a business website owner, you must maintain integrity. Many of the social networking websites are
engaged in unethical behavior contributed by the website owners, which is a major drawback when trying to
market your products and services. There are many methods, which you as a responsible website owner
can establish the behavior performed on your business website.

Respect the privacy of people online

You must remain focused that while using social network marketing in your marketing toolbox for your
products and/or services that you’re involved with actual people that are internet users often referred to
as a community. Based on this community, your business will be a part of it but there’s no room for you to
invade people’s privacy. Do not send spam ever, this includes your friends, their friends and their friends
friends, etc.

The choices for your social networking strategies

Many marketers participate in social sites like FaceBook and MySpace with a plan to drive traffic to their
business websites. This is the ethical way however; spamming the social community with images or links in
order to lure them to your business website is unethical and will eventually by noticed by Google or other
search engines.

Do not spam people with ads to your business website

Social networking websites are very in tune and current with spamming practices, which are noticed as
unethical and will eliminate those who habitually perform such methods for their social media marketing.

Always be professional and honest with the online communities

To successfully use social networking as a method with integrity you need to participate ethically as a
member within the online communities. You need to register with that specific community in order to
become a member of the online community. Be a participant within the online groups, which are related to
your area of expertise or products and services, which your business offers. You want to make friends
within this online community while proving yourself an expert within the particular field, which you are
offering products and services.

Publish quality content on the social networking website

You will need to publish quality content upon these particular social networking websites. Avoid shoving
your products and services down the throats of the online community. Never mislead or give incorrect
information referencing your products and services.

Examples of unethical social networking behavior

A great example of such unethical behavior is leaving a blog or post within the online community while
disguising to be a customer endorsing your own products and services. Honesty is the best policy with the
online community, which you belong to that gives you the ability to explain your products and services. The
decision is up to the online community to view your products and services as compared to spamming them
information.

Never belittle your competitors. Never point out shortcomings of them either. You can however, specify
what makes your products and services different from your competition.

There are no set guidelines on ethical practices with online social network marketing however; you will need
to educate yourself with media law while knowing the potential dangers of defamation as well as invading
people’s privacy. Conduct yourself professionally as well as intellectually. If you follow these
guidelines of what not to perform, you will thrive in your goal of becoming successful.

 

If you have found this Article to be helpful & would like to learn more on how to make more money online for you or your business then Click Here

Social network marketing is an online marketing strategy that has taken the internet by storm for not only its effectiveness but its ease as well. Done correctly, online social networking can attract a significant amount of traffic to any business site you choose. However many in their rush to generate this traffic, overlook the necessary ‘social graces’ required to be accepted at these sites. The end result is a lot of wasted effort and adding insult to injury, few friends are even gained from the experience.

If you are interested in using online social networks to make new friends while also boosting your business traffic, here are 5 practices to avoid!

Promoting TOO Much

Remember that online social networks are there for people to ‘socialize’ and not to be sold. With that said you will need to focus your initial efforts on developing relationships at these sites. If you go ‘swaggering’ into these sites promoting like a gunslinger you will likely be ‘shot down’ yourself.

Listening TOO Much

It is meant to be interactive and besides how are you to get noticed by being a ‘wall flower’ all the time? Pick out a conversation that you are comfortable with or interested in and start contributing to it. This is a great way to make ‘introductions’ and capture the attention of others.

Over Extending Yourself

This online marketing strategy is very effective but it can take some time to develop comfortable relationships with others. Plan on this and only try to work a few locations first in order to be most effective. As your time allows you can then increase the number of social communities you are working.  

Lacking Subtly and Tact

Join in on conversations but do not try to force your opinions since this is no way to fit in and be accepted. You want to make good impressions and develop favorable opinions about yourself and being obnoxious is not the way to do it.

Losing Patience

Do not expect overnight results since this will lead to frustration and you ‘throwing in the towel’ prematurely and wasting all the efforts and time already invested. The best suggestion is to simply relax and focus on making new friends. That is not so bad is it?

Social network marketing can be a great source of online traffic to your business if you conduct yourself properly while ‘working’ on these sites. The fact of the matter is that this online marketing strategy hold tremendous traffic potential, but only if you ‘participate’ in an accepted manner. Online social networking is ‘centered’ in socializing with other sites members. To overlook certain basics socialization skills will result in you being overlooked and disregarded by site members, therefore remember it is all about ‘connecting’ first! The 5 practices you will definitely want to avoid when using any of the online social networks are reviewed above. By avoiding these social ‘hiccups’ and taking the time to build relationships/friendships with others, you stand a much better chance of gaining both new traffic and friends!

TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina. To learn more about social network marketing and to also receive a free instructional manual that teaches valuable niche research techniques simply visit:http://blogbrawn.com/

Article from articlesbase.com

Internet Safety for Social Networking Accts- Children and the Deceased
Children simply do not have the capacity to evaluate the risks or motivations that networking sites present each user. This Ebook will assist you in closing a deceased loved one’s social networking sites to prevent fraud and unwanted activity.
Internet Safety for Social Networking Accts- Children and the Deceased


Marketing That Matters: 10 Practices to Profit Your Business and Change the World (Social Venture Network)

Written by two down-to-earth, experienced entrepreneurs, this work is an in-the-trenches guide to building a marketing plan that embodies personal values instead of exploiting them.

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Question by aries_luv_ppl: What’s the best and quickest way to enlarge my social network?
What’s the best and quickest way to enlarge my social network daily that might lead to business opportunties. Is there free marketing tools out there?

Best answer:

Answer by One of the Baldwin brothers
Sign up for myspace…

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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What You Should Know About Your Social Network Marketing

What You Should Know About Your Social Network Marketing

Social network marketing is a new marketing tool that is becoming more and more popular. In conjunction with SEO it is a quick way to uplift your bottom line.

What is a social network?

A social network is a website on the Internet. It is a virtual community bringing together people with common interests and purposes. The objective is to share ideas, interests, even gossip, and to make new friends.

There are many types of social networks:

• Sharing sites like, YouTube, Flickr

• Networking sites, like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter

• News sites, like Digg, Reddit, Technorati

• Book marking sites, like Delicious, Digg

• Review sites, like Epinions, Viewpoint

Integration of social network marketing:

During the last decade or so, the idea of integrating SEO with social networks as part of marketing strategy has taken root in the business world. Many large companies have implemented this scheme successfully and the results have been very beneficial. Smaller companies have also been following suit, albeit somewhat more slowly.

FaceBook:

FaceBook is leading the pack in social network marketing and we can take it as a typical example for our discussions.

The first step before you can access the website is to formally join FaceBook and get your login. The process starts with submitting your profile which gives details of yourself and/or your company. Once you are accepted as a member and allotted a FaceBook account you can start locating other people who are already members of the community and also create new friends for yourself. You can submit your own posts covering personal information and information about your company. At the same time you will be visiting the posts from other members. This will start the ball rolling, enabling interactions and discussions on subjects of mutual interest. As you widen you circle of friends there will more and more of such interactions.

In a relatively short time you will have new friends and new groups who share and will partake in your interests and passions. You can promote your events and persuade your friends to join in. Organizing such events will also increase your exposure. You can start a blog or newsletter and invite contributions from other members. Remember it is necessary to keep your blog alive and updated with new and interesting content to sustain reader interest. If you are so inclined, you can even subscribe to an RSS feed and integrate it into your blog to attract more visitors.

One of the great benefits of social network marketing is that you get opportunities to make contacts with many other top marketers and gain acceptance into their circle of friends. There are even possibilities of starting joint ventures with them.

Conclusion:

Social network marketing is an effective marketing program when it is used correctly and will yield enormous benefits to businesses big and small.

Doug Brown uses his professional experience to help people and businesses with their SEO in activities. His main focus is on social network marketing. Find out more about this and other articles at www.surefireonlinemarketing.com

Article from articlesbase.com

Extra Strength Social Networking – Sale Price
Get this “think outside the box” and common sense product and system to beef up your social networking experience!
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Mobile Social Networks: Marketing by Location Shows Potential

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Yet, as impressive as the growth is, gaining a voice in the conversations taking place across mobile social networks will be challenging for marketers.

Most marketers are thinking through key issues, such as internal ownership and scalability of mobile-social programs. Budgeting and definitions of ROI likewise continue to ev

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Question by BOB SKEENS: Email Marketing and Social Networks?
What would you say is the most effective email marketing software for promoting CPA ads and social network profiles?

Best answer:

Answer by KENNETH ENGMAN
Definitely, the Mail Mascot. It even comes with a twitter scraper for harvesting emails and a seperate video course regarding social networks.

The best and simplest by far.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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