I recently wrapped up a research paper on the marketing implications of social media. I did a ton of secondary research on the topic last quarter. Sitting down to write the paper was eye opening as to how much I have learned… Just call me a guru! I’m kidding, don’t. Social media gurus scare me.
The most important thing I learned is that social media should be approached like any traditional marketing channel. It’s about communicating value to your customers, like always, with a slight twist in that the messages are typically shorter and have the ability to evoke two-way conversations with consumers. Let’s not get too excited about it.
That said, I don’t think I can stop reading about social media. These are some things that crossed my Google Reader over the last few weeks:
- Research on 41.7 million Twitter profiles explains everything | Going Social Now -Interesting research on the behavior of people who use Twitter and what it means for marketers.
- Facebook Around the World | Brian Solis -Facebook is the #1 social network for 120 of 127 countries in this study.
- 21 Twitter Tips from Socially Savvy Companies | Fast Company – Lots of creative uses of social media.
- Web-Tracking Research Emerging from Surveys’ Shadow | Advertising Age – I might be a purist, but I don’t see social media taking over traditional market research methods any time soon. Enhancing, yes, absolutely. Replacing, no.
- Foursquare Introduces New Tools for Businesses | NY Times – Smart people at Foursquare! I’ve been noticing more promotions offered by larger business on Foursquare lately. The Starbucks in the basement of Westlake Center, for example, offers $1 off any drink for the mayor.
