Just a clever little ditty I found on MSNBC.com this morning – For those still trying to figure it out, there are rules of the road that have emerged over the past two years for twitter users and if you want to have twitter success, you should probably be aware of them.

Here’s the link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38594141/ns/technology_and_science/

I love the ongoing story of “The Most Interesting Man in The World”! I applaud the sheer brilliance of a marketing campaign that is so sure of itself that the product being pitched is never really the story, and yet never far from the conversation.

On the Flipside, The Corona Beer Commercials are just that, an advertisement that makes me long for the beaches and beautiful bodies of sunny Mexico and assures me that even though I can’t make the trip, if I pop a cold one I’ll be that much closer to Nirvana. The intent is to get me to act, not engage.

I bring up these two examples to illustrate a point about what is often referred to or practiced as Social Media Marketing but which in reality more closely resembles Social Media Advertising.

Advertisements, you see, come and go, but a well laid out marketing plan, like a good relationship can endure for decades. My Point being that all too often people jump into “Social Media Marketing” with the sole intent of selling a product or service, not to foster relationships that will survive any commerce that may evolve. The Corona spot is an effective commercial. I see it, I might actually act on the impulse. I might just settle for squeezing a lime in whatever beer I have on hand as well and call it good.

The Most Interesting Man in the World on the other hand is an ongoing conversation. A story about a ”legend” that has already become legendary. There are Facebook Pages and Websites with quotes and expanded story lines, there are chats and tweets. You Tube videos that are watched for the entertainment value and passed around virally on the web. There are Blog posts and Wiki’s dedicated to a man who doesn’t even exist. And people eagerly anticipate the next piece of sage advice uttered from the man who encourages us all to “Stay Thirsty my Friends” and when we drink beer, consider Dos Equis.

Social Media Marketing is more about creating a story line. An ongoing conversation that people can enter and exit when it suits them. A place they seek out because they feel comfortable or engaged enough to visit again and again. Your product or service should simply reside there for consideration, not as part of the story, but never far removed from the conversation.

Mathew Ferrara published a blog post for Real Estate Agents covering the Seven Secrets of Social Networking. To me they represent more the fundamentals than secrets and they apply to just about any small business working to develop a core of business upon which to build long term. Mathew addresses the most common mistake I see in the application of  ”Social Media” Marketing efforts; that being when a person attempts to commence a sales pitch by thinly disguising it as an interactive conversation. The post does a good job of reminding us to focus our efforts on the interests of the people we are talking with, not at.

Whereas businesses such as Real Estate and Financial Services have long depended on relationships and meaningful communication to grow successfully, more and more businesses are integrating a more social aspect into their marketing efforts and the fundamentals apply universally.

Here’s a quick summary and a link to the post.

It’s networking, not advertising

It’s the same as real life

Conversations involve listening more than talking

Consider your own experience

Share to grow

Ask

Play

All good points to keep in mind as you approach Social Media as a way to Market and grow your business.

Posted via email from All Points Marketing Solutions

Posted via email from All Points Marketing Solutions

So, what’s the next big thing on the Social Media Marketing Front – How about Flash Sales and Flash Marketing?

Popularized by the burgeoning ranks of twitter and Driven by the speading popularity of location based Social Networking sites such as Foursqure and Hunch, the concept of Flash Marketing is taking hold. Basically it works like this, once you’ve been located by “checking in”, businesses in the area can target you for immediate benfit. Drive by a Macdonalds and Voila, instant 2 for 1 on a Big Mac for the next 10 minutes. Head past your favorite Pizza joint on your way home and Bam! $5 off Pepperoni and Mushrooms to go if you pick up before 7:00

Flash sales are already gaining traction, traffic - and customers- online, with more than few sites offering limited time deals on coveted wares for their devoted followers. Airlines have limted fare wars, Musicians sell out local concerts and traditional online retailers can spark a frenzy by announcing a sale on the latest must have gizmo.

As more and more people jump online and share their personal likes and desires, business people are more and more willing to reward the behavior and build their business using the lure of solid deals for a limited period of time.

It’s a clever way to build buzz,  loyalty and traffic, because who wants to miss a really good deal that could be gone in a flash?

Posted via email from All Points Marketing Solutions

For Sale… Everything about you and your friends that a marketer might desire. Inquire at facebook.com/yournamehere

Even the experts are scratching their heads on this one!

Found this interesting article that offers up some answers and a video tutorial on how to limit access to your private information and that of your friends. If that doesn’t work for you, call Allpoints Marketing and ask us about our Online Privacy Matters Service, we can efficiently help you reset your online settings to the level that meets your needs.