Social Media Strategies

So the internet is agreeably one of the most remarkable innovations of our time, and it started out great when it went public. Fast forward to some 15+ odd years ahead and we find ourselves in a love-hate relationship of information overload. There is so much content out there, when everyone and their neighbor’s cat considers it their exclusive duty to share their perspectives on everything. It’s incredible to see how much information is out there, yet it sometimes becomes difficult to find the right info or get to the right markets effectively.

There is a paradox of interests online, people are spending billions of dollars on product development and want people buying their products. Despite that, they themselves don’t want to be sold to. Double standards or just natural human behavior?

Yes, I agree, there is a bombardment of information out there. Yes, I agree you can’t trust the validity of someone’s claims. Yes, I agree its difficult to get to your targeted audiences without getting lost in the crowd. However, I also know that the recent changes in the web have added a layer of self-balance to this problem. Let me explain…

When you add social media to this equation, you see how people are coming together in communities and taking ownership of safeguarding information with no personal interests. Think: Wikipedia. You can also see how networks are formed based on credibility and trust. Think: Linkedin, Facebook. You can also see how original thought leadership is given more popularity and authority. Think: Technorati, Digg.

There was a big jump when these social media tools added an element of human monitoring, rather than search engine optimization (which is usually run on calculations and algorithms). The human to human element was added in a natural way, in which communities develop and spread only based on merits. Communities have a self-balancing effect that ensures that junk content is not promoted. This system itself ensures some reliability in data.

Watch a great little video on the Information R/evolution

So, yes I agree, there is too much information. But I have the comfort of knowing that the internet has evolved in a way, so as to combat this challenge. Even in the event management and marketing business, you can see the impact different media tools, like social bookmarking sites, have on business. People trust social channels because they are humane and real. There are so many new players in the jungle that you can leverage to help carve niches in your service offerings.

So, the way to deal with this information overload problem is to look for community based validations. Spend more time to research and do background checks on the sources of information. Carefully understand who your market is, where they are and then plan how to get to them without getting lost in the crowd. It’s not impossible or difficult, it just requires planning and knowledge of the different tools that are at your disposal.

Simon U Ford (SUF.EDBD)

Today’s tip! Every marketing campaign starts with keyword research. If you’re serious about earning money online you’re first investment should be a great keyword research tool.

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