We read daily about how social networking is something that companies large and small need to be actively pursuing because it is where the consumers can be found. After an experience that I have had with a fellow social networker over the past two days, I am suddenly wondering if social networking by consumers is as popular as I am hearing.
Yes, sites like Facebook and MySpace are both common sites among the average social networker (especially high school and college students), but how many of your every day friends and family who are not somehow involved in social media marketing are really involved in sites such as FriendFeed, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Digg, etc? I'm going to guess not too many. In fact, I can only think of two contacts that I have that are involved in social networking and not involved in social marketing.
I am active enough in social networking sites that I have made the acquaintance of several social media marketers and SEO gurus. I look to these experienced marketers to bounce ideas off of involving this blog and I enjoy sharing things and joking around with them as much as I do with my non marketing friends.
I do read about social marketing and have even been known to give my two cents from the viewpoint of a consumer. However, in no way, shape, or form am I a marketer. I have two blogs, including this one that is about being social on the web, but I honestly do not care if I have one reader or one million. If either of my blogs become popular that will mean more work for me and I am already working a full time job and have other interests outside of social networking. I live paycheck to paycheck to make sure I have internet access, I can't afford for high bandwidth to become an issue, so honestly I hope that none of the sites I own and play with get very popular.
So I'm just wondering are there other people out there doing this just for fun? If so, I'd really love to hear from you, please leave a comment! And for you marketers out there, what do you think about this?
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So, I’m confused on which question you are asking. Are you asking:
1. Are typical consumers really active on social networks, or is it only students and marketers?
2. Are businesses wasting their time on social networks, since they seem to only be marketing to marketers? (assuming students don’t count as consumers?)
3. Why do you social network? (title of post)
4. Are you doing this just for fun? (related to #3)
5. Your final question is directed at marketers only, so do you only want them to answer whichever question(s) you are asking?
I’m guessing you are really asking everyone a combination of all of these questions. Here are my answers.
1. While students and marketers may make up a large group, and while most of my “normal” family and friends aren’t social networking, most of them arrive late to every new media party. In other words, they’ll eventually get there.
2. Both students and marketers are consumers as well. Businesses need to be there because lots of people ARE there, and more and more will get there. Additionally, the ones that are already there, know and speak with the ones that aren’t there. They will likely spread a business’s message.
3. I social network for many reasons - both personal and business related.
4. No, but I do have fun.
5. I just answered all the questions I think you might be asking. Hope that helps.
@Donna
Thanx so much for this comment! These were the types of answers I was looking for. I think that I worried about over clarifying my thoughts too much, but did not reach that happy medium that is needed. Hopefully I will do better in the future (and I hope you will help to let me know if I don’t!).
For the first time ever, I’m adding a 3rd party website to my comment URL.
Paula, I urge you to read the article. The points raised here are the same issues I’ve raised myself time and time again and have been decried for, and are the self same things you’re seeing for yourself.
The biggest problem with Social Media isn’t so much Social Media itself, but with the people who use it and are totally blind to its limitations…
@Wayne
Thank you so very much for referring me to this article. I had written this post based on too many personal experiences of feeling that certain marketers were trying to force their ways on those they had ‘befriended’ in social media.
I can agree 150% with this article “How to Avoid Marketing to Yourself”, in fact, my favorite line is: Social media marketing should be a largely introverted activity.