February 2, 2009

Silverback Strategy

Posted by Rey Villar

The Importance of Being Earnest
There are many more social media websites and tools available on the web, including YouTube, MeetUp, Digg, Redditt and Squidoo.

Leading businesses and entrepreneurs have already jumped into this arena in search of more prospects and leads. Before you embark on a social media marketing campaign, take a second to reconsider your approach.

Consumers have come to expect commerce on their social media sites. From simple advertising to email solicitations, most consumers understand that the businesses behind these “free” social media sites need revenue to stay in business.

But even though they expect to be marketed to, online consumers are still wary of hard sales. They know from experience how easy it is to get spammed. And they don’t like it.

The thread that ties together all the social media tools and websites now on the web is community. The consumers who participate on those websites — and help it grow — are looking for communities they can trust.

They accept that insurance agents and brokers are looking for business. But they will reject disingenuous and pushy attempts at marketing.

They will especially reject marketers and sales people who join their community to get more business…without giving something back.