Online social networking (OSN) is our third online marketing method. Blogs and forums are the most common methods of social networking, but this could include any means of interacting or communicating on the web. Some other possibilities include getting someone with a related product to email their list about your program, leaving reviews on places like Epinions.com or Amazon.com, Myspace, Peopleconnection.com, Friendster, Facebook, and many more. Even chatrooms, instant messaging, and email are methods of online social networking.
The idea behind social networking is to hang out in the same places as your potential customers. When I was working as a sales engineer for a big chemical supply company, I was expected to join and go to Ducks Unlimited meetings because that is where the decision makers at the paper mills hung out. I would never talk business while I was there, just hang out and let them get to know me. The same holds true for online social networking, only it is a lot easier. Go to blogs and forums that deal with the same topics that your potential customers might deal with. You will also be hanging out with potential competitors, but that’s okay. This is about being part of a community and everyone has their own solution to other people’s problems. Leave comments or posts. Ask questions related to the topic. Offer advice that does not consist of “hey, go to my website where I can sell you something!” In most blogs, you are asked to give your email address and website url while leaving a comment. Take advantage of this! After you have established yourself as part of the community, you can start leaving your website url in your signature at the bottom of each post. Remember, you are a member of a community and the same rules that apply to offline social gatherings apply to online social gatherings. Look around for a bit before you chime in, ask questions first, and don’t force your opinions on others.
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Chris O’Byrne
http://www.OnlineArtsMarketing.com/blog
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