Whilst it is still early days for social networking, an article in the Evening Standard yesterday said that social networking is becoming too important to ignore. The power of the internet to allow consumers to find out, share and discuss information and video is dramatically changing the nature of marketing and communications.
More than two billion comments a month are being posted on Twitter. Facebook has 450 million users worldwide and therefore developing a social media strategy has become a top priority for clients.
Creating a digital dialogue and allowing consumers to participate in all manner of conversation from discussing travel insurance quotes to reviewing products can bring many potential benefits according to the article – “More engagement, improved customer relations, sharing of (hopefully positive) messages amongst friends, brand building, higher revenues and even a halo effect”.
The most successful consumer driven campaign to date but one that is sure to be followed is by my friend’s travel PR company Hills Balfour who orchestrated the advertising campaign for a caretaker’s job on a tropical island. Applicants had to apply explaining why they wanted “The Best Job In The World”. Pure genius. Everybody was happy – it generated a ridiculous amount of exposure.
“In a fast-changing world, brands can’t afford to sit back”. Well. Thats good news for us bloggers who have been around for a while.
