Social Media Marketing- Thinking Outside the Box
Posted by Beth Hrusch on Wed, Jul 22, 2009
When was the last time you bought something because you saw it on TV or read a print ad? How many times do you rely on the opinions or experiences of friends and social connections when making a purchasing decision? Are you going to buy a new computer based on what an ad says or what your buddy recommends?
We all know the answer to these questions. It's the secret to social media's power. Why are marketers shifting their budgets away from traditional marketing methods and toward digital media marketing? Well, you might say they're bowing to reality. Social media has become a major player for marketing because it facilitates a form of influence that has been around since primitive man first gathered around the fire.
Consumers tend to trust those in their social circle. Ads are perceived as biased because they are produced by the companies who either manufactured the product or the retailers who want you to give them your money. But your buddy doesn't really care if you get the TV he bought- he's just telling you that he loves it and would definitely recommend it. Hey, you can do what you want.
Social media marketing is forcing marketers to think outside the box when it comes to reaching target markets. Make a list of the things you bought lately because you heard about them through social media conversations. You might be surprised by how long the list is.