We do try to present both sides of the argument on topics discussed on this blog, but my bias towards the game changing impact of social media on marketing tends to be a tad transparent. Came across this post on B-to-B Magazine that is just one more nice articulation of where I think this is going and the impact it is having on traditional marketing. A few years ago, people
disseminated information to their contacts through a one-way process of
dialing the phone and sending e-mail. Today, they edit a profile,
upload a photo or post an invitation to their social network, and
everyone they know is immediately in the loop. Then they use the
network to touch base frequently with contacts via information captured
in that member's profile
Smart marketers are using this power to transform their profession. They're tapping in to their contact lists to enable discussions between people who might otherwise never have met. They're introducing media contacts and business partners to each other and, in the process, demonstrating that they're connected, relevant and valuable. And they're doing it at very little cost.
Social networks can raise marketers' visibility and prestige. Marketing has always been about managing human relationships, and today's online tools make that task far more efficient than it has ever been. In the old days, marketers delivered messages. Today, they can enable discussions. Which role do you think has more value?
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