What Are Social Networking Websites? Community websites which allow users to participate, contribute content, and choose their connections are called social networking websites.
Two of the most famous examples are Facebook and MySpace.
Facebook has gotten so popular that Hollywood even made a movie about it! When you think of social networking sites like Facebook, you may imagine people trying to find dates or posting pictures of their dogs.
However, beyond the personal connections, these websites have become a very productive place for marketers to get attention for business.
This is true for global, national, and local business.
Attention On Social Sites Can Be Positive or Negative These sites are important because the provide an automated form of "word-of-mouth" advertising.
I, myself, have visited restaurants or stores that my friends have "Liked" on Facebook.
I have also avoided some places that got some negative exposure on a social site.
So, getting attention via social sites can be bad or good.
Jeff Richards, an advertising professor said, "While it may be true that the best advertising is word-of-mouth, never lose sight of the fact it also can be the worst advertising.
" You want to be sure you are doing your best to make sure your own online business is getting positive, and not negative, attention in the social media! An Example of Powerful Use Of Social Sites For Local Business When I talk to local business people about social networking, they shake their heads and tell me they have no idea how to begin.
It is actually fairly easy to get started, and you can do most of the work in your off hours when you do not have to attend to your physical business.
A friend of mine started an upscale thrift store in town.
However, while that store was still getting constructed, she was online making sure she made connections with everybody she could think of.
She also hoped that her connections would attract other connections.
At first, she just expressed excitement about her new business ventures.
As the work progressed, she posted photos of her progress.
She made us feel as if we were not just potential customers to her, but somehow part of the progress she was making.
The feeling was similar to watching a baby being born.
When she was close to getting the doors open, she showed us pictures of her inventory and asked for comments.
Then, when the doors did open, she had several dozen excited people lining up to share the experience with her.
Of course, we all tried to pass on the news to as many friends as we could! This is a great use of social marketing! Social Marketing Gone Wrong Other business owners display great enthusiasm, but their posts just get annoying.
Be wary of posting too often, and of making your posts too promotional.
I have had friends tell me that they deleted connections because the posts just got annoying.
They were too frequent or too promotional.
These online marketing attempts generated the wrong kind of attention.
Get Social Today! If you do not use social sites, your competitor is probably getting customers you could have.
Just be sure to study good and bad uses of these networks so you can reap the benefits of your efforts.
Done right, you can enjoy a lot of positive attention with just a little effort and no investment.