What Is Online Social Networking?

Web 2.0, Social Networking, Twitter… what does it all mean? Online Social Networking is the process of building and maintaining a community of individuals who share similar interests and activities. For business, online social networking takes word-of-mouth marketing to a much higher level.

This illustration indicates how users are funneled back to your website using two different methods; the PUSH method and the PULL method. Online Social Networking demonstrates how users are voluntarily directed to your website.

Building Communities

Building a community of the “right” type of consumers for your business is your ultimate goal in social networking. Networking is a two-way street, and you have to spend time giving in order to get something in return. Rather than using your Twitter account as a billboard, you should be posting helpful resources, conversing with your followers and portraying a less sales-driven view of your company. The more engaged you are, the more people will begin to see you as a person, a representative rather than a static corporate image. Transparency, personality, variety are all keys when producing fresh and interesting content to your followers. Like your longtime friends, these followers will begin to trust your opinions, know your brand and ultimately, they will want to do business with you.

People trust people… not companies.

Demographics

It’s no surprise that younger generations are more in tune with the world of online social networking. The ‘milennials’ are approaching their thirties, and they’ve been sending email since middle school. Embracing new social technology in marketing is a necessity if you’re hoping to reach out to individuals born after 1975.

60% of Americans read blogs.