Social Networking

The digital world of blogging and social media has exploded in exponential fashion since its online introduction in 2003. Individuals around the world are now connected through common interests, common friends, causes, business relationships, family and life experiences. The Blogosphere, which encompasses websites such as MySpace, FaceBook and Twitter, is estimated to include 80 million monthly participants just in the United States.

The network of blogs and social media includes over 25% of the US Population actively sharing ideas and information in a format that is considered timely, relevant, and engaging.

“In Technorati’s 2008 State of the Blogosphere report, the company observed that blogging is becoming mainstream, leading the way for an Active Blogosphere – defined as the ecosystem of interconnected communities of bloggers and readers at the convergence of journalism and conversation. As networks become densely populated and new communities arise and thrive, we’re experiencing a fundamental shift in content creation, distribution, and consumption, thus creating an Active and Participatory Media society that is inspiring and seeding a more literate and enlightened generation.” – PR 2.0

Why is this important to you?

The Internet unlike other mediums provides a very unique viral marketing component. Social networking provides the opportunity to communicate with people who are familiar with you and allow you to reach like-minded people with whom you are acquainted.

Share your message with 10 people who share it with 10 people who share it with 10 people….According to Wikipedia the average FaceBook member has 144 connections and visits the site to see updates daily. The LinkedIn Professional Network illustrates the potential reach of social networking the best:

85 Connections–> 7,100 People Once Removed –> 699,800 People Within My Network

A Referral is Worth its Weight in Advertising Dollars!

Advertising alone creates awareness and makes you ultimately responsible for fulfilling the promise your advertising makes. Advertising doesn’t make you credible, providing something of value makes you credible.

When we examine social networking, you are achieving something much more valuable than advertising. You are creating referrals, testimonials and endorsements, which gives you instant credibility and a level of trust that advertising, simply cannot achieve.

Referrals offer significant advantages over cold calling and direct marketing leads. For example, referrals are:

• Always More Cost Effective Than Advertising
• Referrals Generally Make Decisions Quicker About Purchasing
• Advertising Doesn’t Buy Trust, Referrals Do
• They are Likely to Purchase More Often and Be More Loyal
• Less Negotiation or Convincing is Required
• If the Experience is Good, One Referral Leads to Other Referrals

Let the power of social networking unlock a new and cost effective way to reach more people, communicate with them and generate the type of 3^rd party credibility that directly impacts your business or organization!