Comments on: Hijacking Social Media: Doomed to Fail?

By: Felix Desroches

Felix Desroches — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:32:21 +0000

@SMM: Absolutely – companies are going to have to crack the “value nut”. There has to be more to marketing that just a sell, and it’s those companies that involve users in a fulfilling experience that will come out on top.

By: Social Media Monitoring

Social Media Monitoring — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:58:52 +0000

It will be interesting to see the user response to forced social marketing or even forced viral marketing. Users are becoming more and more aware of fake viral marketing and becoming more negative towards companies who attempt to “trick” them into believing something is real when its just a marketing gimmick.

By: Global Patriot

Global Patriot — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:34:47 +0000

The key thing for companies to remember is that social media is about communication, not selling. If a company sets up a Twitter account and interacts with users and potential customers on an opt-in basis, that’s cool. But plaster a series of promotional tweets probably and you won’t get far.

On the eco side, the same holds true, engage the community and share your knowledge of the industry. Help people, start a blog and write interesting articles. Comment on others blogs – with valid information, not advertising. Include your company URL in your profile, and if people want to find out more information they can go there.

By: Felix Desroches

Felix Desroches — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:44:21 +0000

@Cyndee: the irony is definitely not lost on me – it does go to show that the ‘social networks’ we individuals hold dear (much like Ecopreneurist) depend on an uneasy symbiotic coexistence with businesses (which keep the networks afloat through ads).

@Josh: I definitely see your point, and that in many ways social media tools are purpose-agnostic, and can and should be used by whomever for whatever. That said, I think that first movers/early adopters should be given priority status; sure, Twitter can technically be used successfully by companies, but it has evolved into a tool primarily used – and designed – for individuals (and wouldn’t otherwise be of interest to companies). Much like I wouldn’t barge my way into an OPEC meeting (interesting as it would be), I expect the same courtesy…

By: » Why Social Media is Important, and Will Continue to Be Make Seriously | Design and Life

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:11:21 +0000

[...] when the articles they are writing are bordered by the exact things they decry. You can, of course, visit any of these sites as you find yourself in the paradox of a form of social media supported by [...]

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:31:01 +0000

I think a major problem with the model you’re suggesting is that it looks at tools like Twitter as starting from social networking and then becoming a tool rather than always being a tool without it’s potential being met. Look at how the fire departments in California have used it to alert citizens of wildfires changing direction and threatening communities, or at the ability to use it to stage rallies or provide promotionals to those who follow a brand. There’s a whole dimension to social networking that hasn’t been explored yet, and so many are accusing marketers of encroaching upon it because it somehow threatens the “@anonymous: I ate beans today” approach to social “networking”. If anything, looking at it that way stifles innovation and prevents people from pushing the technology to new places.

By: Cyndee

Cyndee — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:02:48 +0000

I can’t help but laugh at the irony of the SHARP advertisement at the end of your post.

As we (at Professional Building Systems) are discussing our clients…and our types of clients… and profiling them, I keep reminding our project managers that they are dealing with a PERSON. That person has thoughts, emotions, fears, and an ego.

Companies that remain ‘corporate’ won’t succeed in this new media… Companies that become their employees and deal with people will.