How social media marketing is changing the marketing rules
Aug 18, 2008 Social Media Marketing
In the past, people look at social networks as exactly that, social networks… It wasn’t that long ago since the word social media marketing came about. Now, in just a short few years, it’s one of the hottest digital marketing topic, getting hotter everyday! The chart below, published in an article at www.emarketer.com, projects that online advertisement spending on social networks will reach $210 million by 2012 - that’s only 4 years from now!
In the US alone, social media networks have mushroomed into far more business professionals oriented social networks. And there are so many social networks out there that can show you similar trends.
Some very good examples are social networks like ITtoolbox, a 1.3-million-member community of information technology professionals; Legal OnRamp and LawLink for attorneys; and Reel-Exchange, for film and video professionals.
So, here are some questions all marketers should look at…
How did this happen?
Why does it happen?
What should we do with social networks then?
The how and why…
Business professionals are sociable people too, they socialize and make friends too. And when they join social networks full of professionals in the same or similar industry, I bet there’s a lot to talk about as they at least some common interests. Or better, they can source for help in certain ways and get helpful resources or tips, all the while having some fun at the same time!
What marketers should do with social networks?
These social networks are the online venues where the business target audience are hanging out. It only makes sense for marketers to spend their marketing budget there. Engage your target audience at places where they are already comfortable with! Warning though, not all social networks are right for your business. Do your homework, do your research or get someone (digital marketing agency) to do it for you.
With a well-planned and executed online campaign, you can expect a great brand exposure. Even better than that, make your campaign bloody interesting, so interesting that people in the social networks talk about it, that’s free mileage for your campaign! Create enough dialogs and you’ll enjoy a lot more from your marketing budget, almost 100% guaranteed!
Tags: Digital Marketing, digital marketing budget, films and video social networks, future for social media, IT professional social networks, law social networks, online ad spend, online advertising, online marketing budget, professional social networks, Social Media Marketing, social media spend, social networks
Leave a Reply