Okay, in the interest of fairness and equal time and all that claptrap (and because my fundamental interest is my readers’ business success), here’s an article with proof–of various sorts–of the value and measurability of social media marketing: http://searchenginewatch.com/3635665. I like Erik Qualman, because he is an evangelist who makes an effort to address his rhetorical opponents with objective arguments.
One thing you might notice is that success in social marketing may be easier for certain types of business. For example, the blender company and its “Will It Blend” video series. This particular product, along with a slightly zany concept, could be a case study for YouTube viral video. Other products may not lend themselves to such stunts. And I’m not sure many smaller companies are in a position to give away 100 cars like Ford; one of the mantras of social media cheerleaders is, “And it’s nearly FREE!” Well, donating over $1 million in product isn’t very free.
What’s the takeaway? In spite of my pessimism on this subject, I think analyzing the examples from Qualman’s post and figuring out if your company or product has any similarities–and exploring those in your next marketing brainstorming meeting–could truly be beneficial.
Filed under: Marketing Tagged: | market research
Social media marketing plays a big role in promoting one’s business. It helps a business grow and known to the market.