SOCIAL NETWORKING
We’ve all heard the term “Social Networking”, but what is it?  By definition, it describes networks of people, online communities, blogging, wikis, an other forms of collaborative marketing.  Some of the common ones include: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.  By using a social network, you interact with others to share your ideas, discuss, and promote.

Isn’t Social Networking Just A Waste Of Time?
Not at all!  When properly done, you can put your business or products on the minds of hundreds – or thousands – of people that are interested in what you have to offer.  The process is far cheaper than advertising and you are targeting groups of people who share a similar interest in what you are talking about.

What Social Networking Does
1. Creates a buzz about newsworthy information that pertains to your business.  This, in turn, becomes viral in nature, as the people who get this information share it with others.  The buzz is the “secret sauce”.  This message is delivered from user to user, instead of through the typical streams of advertising, in which you purchase an ad or promote a press release.  Also, the buzz doesn’t have to be about a product or service.  Many influential campaigns have gathered steam through humorous applications with the company logo or product being incidental, not the main focus.

2. Enticing fans of a company or product to promote the message themselves through their own venues.  If a person likes a product you sell, they end up telling other people.  If you create a funny commercial, they pass it off to their friends, spreading your words and ideas.

3. Social networking for the business is spread through the use of typical conversation.  It is not controlled by the organization, it is not controlled by the product.  It is controlled by the users of that product or service. It encourages discussion and dialogue. It engages and respects the users.

Networks of People
Online Communities
Blogging
Wikis