Social network technology for your company by Tristan Pollock
Organizations around the world are attacking the social media scene and it is paying off. From YouTube to Facebook you can find Apple, Google (of course, they own it), and thousands more.
One of the most recent examples of a positive effect of social media on an organization is the Obama campaign's Web site, twitter updates, YouTube videos and the list goes on.
Orchestrated beautifully, social media held a large part in spreading the word -- word of mouth isn't just spoken anymore, it is written, tweeted and blogged.
Even after the campaign ended, Obama has turned to YouTube again and is now using the video-sharing site to give the United States, and the world, weekly updates on the transition and the issues effect the American people.
Sounds like it's working to me. The Obama team recently received a transition approval rating around 79%.
So, where does one start when constructing a social network for the company? Thanks to the World Wide Web you have a plethora of options. Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, Blogger, Digg, Technorati and many more Web sites, all have high traffic and millions of users.
Focus on your target audience and give them what they want.
Take the example of Apple on Facebook. Apple created the group "Apple Students" on Facebook, because college students are large supporters of the Apple brand. College students also love music, so Apple brought in thousands of group members by offering free music giveaways on iTunes.
Why does social networking work so well?
Take the example of Ning, an online network where you can create your own social network.
One person joins and makes a network for netbook enthusiasts. He/she then invites all their friends and family. Let's say that person's Uncle Frank then starts his own network for retired tennis pros. The chain reaction then continues on and on, until millions of networks have been created on Ning.
With the right touch, research and customer knowledge an organization can create a customer following that makes the business-customer relationship more emotional and meaningful.
This post was originally published by Tristan Pollock on Blogger.
