The Wikipedia defines Social Networking as: “A social network service focused on building online communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.” Many people have dismissed this as a waste of time. It may seem trivial to some that connecting with friends is a viable marketing technique. Maybe this article will peek the interest of those who are truly interested in the value of a social network.
When we consider services like Delicious or Twitter or Plaxo or other social networks, we see that it is very easy to grow a network of friends and potential friends. Anyone who is interested in Internet Marketing can see that as a list of friends grows, credibility grows. Let’s face it, credibility is one of the most effective marketing tools that any marketer worth his salt can acquire. It all boils down to one’s ability to get others to listen to what he has to say.
One fascinating effect of social networks and services that offer this platform it the ease with which someone can grow a circle of friends. Let’s explore a service like Twitter. In recent months Twitter has gorwn exponintially. Personally I have met many new friends through this service. It feels really nice to get an email notice that someone, previously unknown, has begun to follow my Twitter posts. May of these have begun to follow me because someone else in their circle is following my Twitter posts.
This is the same effect that occurs on all of the social network communities that I have joined. In a relatively short period of time several people, whom I may never have had the opportunity to know, are now in my circle of friends. This works in both directions. When I begin to follow someone on Twitter or add someone as a friend on blogcatalog or Godlinked, their friends see me listed in their friends list of friends. This is called a ‘viral’ effect.
Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services, sharing blog posts, video, pictures or comments.
Social networking has created new ways to communicate and share information. Social networking websites are being used regularly by millions of people, and it now seems that social networking will be an enduring part of everyday life.
There are several types of social networking websites or services available. The main types of social networking services are those which contain directories of some categories (such as former classmates, colleagues), means to connect with friends (usually with self-description pages), and recommender systems linked to trust. Popular methods now combine many of these, with MySpace and Facebook being the most widely used in North America; Nexopia (mostly in Canada); Bebo, Facebook, Hi5, MySpace, Tagged, Xing; and Skyrock in parts of Europe; Orkut and Hi5 in South America and Central America; and Friendster, Orkut, Xiaonei and Cyworld in Asia and the Pacific Islands.
What does all this have to do with building a business? My first response to a question like that is to roll my eyes and slap myself on the forehead. However, all that would do is irritate you and give me a headache. So, here we go. The most effective long term method to build a business on the Internet (and off line as well) is to elevate your level of visibility and credibility. The larger your network of friends and followers, the more recognition you get. Consider everyone with whom you connect a potential voice to let others know who you are. Give useful information, not sales copy. Help people understand why you are interested in the ‘niche’ that you chose to research. Become a trusted friend. This sets you up as wise counsel for others.
One of the pluses is that you get to meet some very interesting people and potential JV (joint venture) partners as well as customers. Everyone has something to say. Let your voice be heard.
