Online Marketing Through Social Networking (Part 1)

Social networking online is certainly one of today's hottest trends. Many, however, wonder how social networking will help their careers or businesses and exactly ways to get started with this online marketing technique. Here partly 1, I can help you get started. Next month partly 2, I'll explain some processes for expanding your presence and creating a quality network of online contacts.

What is Online Social Networking?

From the conceptual standpoint, online social networking isn't any different than traditional networking and socializing. You meet people and get to learn them by sharing information about each other. Those you like and/or share interests with become part of one's "network." The marketing magic kicks in when those in your network start speaing frankly about you. Your reputation spreads by word-of-mouth.

The Internet and related technology have got networking to another level, expanding each individual's reach and exposure through online marketing. Where traditionally people gather in person to network -- at the same time frame and place as others -- members of online networking groups are not limited by time or geography. Each group member can interact 24/7 from any location worldwide. Consequently, online networking techniques are completely different from in-person networking.

How To Interact Through Social Networking

Methods to interact are numerous. The initial order of business is to choose what your marketing goals are regarding social networking. While "finding new friends" is really a sufficient personal reason behind social networking, business marketing goals must be more specific. Have you been a person buying job or freelance work? Do you intend to gain exposure for the product, band or company? Have you been searching for potential employees or contractors? Do you intend to get prospects interested enough to see your Website or contact you? Your goals will dictate that which you put on your own profile and social networking website along with who you appear for the become part of one's network.

After you've decided on your own purpose for online networking, choose which social networking Website(s) you'll participate in.

Where you should Network Online

You'll find a thorough listing of social networking site at Wikipedia here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites. I'm acquainted with those listed below. They will give you a notion of the number of opportunities you will find at social networking Websites:

Yahoo! 360 (360.yahoo.com): Yahoo!' s social networking site is in beta around this writing. The initial feature here's your Yahoo! 360 space is cross-promoted with other Yahoo! products, such as with your reviews on Yahoo! Local and your Yahoo! Groups. Like many social networking sites, you may also host a blog on the server.

MySpace (myspace.com): Here is the mother of social networking sites. Originally dominated by teens, you can find reports of the "graying of myspace" as seniors and businesses may also be networking on the site. It might be worth your while to spend some time there to see if your target customers go out there.

LinkedIn (linkedin.com): LinkedIn is excellent for professional, career-related online marketing as it focuses exclusively on business and professional networking. You will find interfaces for connecting with classmates or colleagues (both past and present); find service providers or clients; post or find a job; and ask or answer business-related questions.

Gather (gather.com): This network incorporates user publications (in the shape of articles) and a points reward system into the usual social networking activities.

Each social networking Website has it's own "personality" and a different mix of men and women to interact with. Before signing up, go to each site and explore a little -- search on keywords linked to your goals and interests, read the different groups, the experience level, etc. This can help you determine if a site will undoubtedly be advantageous to you. Once you find a site that interests you, establish your presence by signing up and filling out the questions for the profile and site home page. Once that is done, you're ready to interact Free blog posting site to share your blog.

Whom To Interact With

Individuals you intend to associate with (i.e. make "friends" or be "connected" to) will depend largely on your own goals. There are several forms of people you may wish to consider contacting . Each can help you in different ways, so consider searching for more than one kind of "target friend:"

Customers and Consumers: Individuals who will benefit from that which you do, consume or buy your products or services, and rave about you with their friends

Others Within Your Industry: Individuals with whom you can network, share resources and cross-promote with.

Media and Publishers: Individuals who work for or can influence publications you want to be mentioned in (e-zines, newspapers, Websites, etc).

Consultants: Individuals who might want to hire or purchase products from you.

Event, Company or Organization representatives: Individuals who operate business and associations that support your industry.

How To Find Friends

Some people will find you based on your own profile, but you'll desire to actively search for quality friends. You can begin to get friends by joining groups linked to your expertise, that have members who match your target friend profile or interest you in general. You can also approach individuals and inquire further becoming a friend and/or part of one's network.

Next month partly 2 I'll detail more specific networking and marketing techniques. Until then, explore your social networking sites, get comfortable with the features and find a couple of friends.