Social Networking - How To Schmooze

Writing by Brick Marketing on Wednesday, 19 of March , 2008 at 11:42 am

When you step into the room, the social networking is in full swing. The party is already going strong. You see dozens of people … but you don’t know any of them. In one corner is a group of 8 or 10 obvious friends, laughing and talking and enjoying each other’s company.

You walk up to the group and smile and say, “Hi. I’m Bob. I have a great widget. Let me tell you about it!”

Yes, yes. That sounds absolutely ridiculous. But most marketers approach social networking websites like MySpace and YouTube with just about the same amount of tact, courtesy, and understanding.

To be a successful socializer at that party, what would really work?

• Study the interactions of the individuals and groups.
• What unwritten “rules” can you observe?
• Often, such groups have a special language they speak, unique to their group. Can you hear it?
• How do others join into ongoing discussions?
• Who are the “big dogs” in the groups? Do they bite?
• What’s your plan? Target the “big dogs?”
• Or start by approaching smaller groups, maybe even singles who seem to be standing alone and left out of the socializing?

Whoever you approach, consider this plan:

1. Blend in.
2. Add real value.
3. Stick around. (Don’t disappear, or you’ll have to start from scratch when you come back.)

Recognize that marketing in a social networking setting is much different from what you are accustomed to. In normal marketing, most of your targets want to avoid you. In social networking, your targets are there to talk to somebody. That can be you, if you understand them and approach them correctly.

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Category: Myspace, Social Networking, YouTube

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