To cover the basics, social media and networking is the connection of people and or organisations by broad or specific types of relationships of interest.

Facebook connects those that are interested in staying in touch with family and friends, with unique on the side niche communities, that enable them to connect to and interact with communities that they are interested in, such as the local Northern Beaches group giving the latest low downs on whats happening around Mantown (Manly), or the Crispy Creme Donuts group, which may update postings on new stores and marketing promotions that are happening live or in the near future. I myself last week, had a post update in my news feed, about a favourite artist, playing a gig, and signing CDs at the new Virgin Music Megastore in Sydney, which ended up changing my afternoon plans, bumping into and meeting fans of similar music interest.

Myspace Music and Last.fm is a great community of this example, which specifically connects bands, artists and fans alike, whom can network to other bands that other fans are interested in, launching bands from a downstairs racket to large international tours in less than a year.

The Major Benefits of Social Media

• Creates an online community for your brand and its supporters
• Opportunity for your brand to go 'viral', where by if the users like your content they will share it with there own communities, and its spreads across the internet rapidly.
• Social Media allows you to engage with an online community and allows you to connect your brand to the appropriate audience.
• Allows you to interact with a community with similar interests to your own - networking without borders
• Gain valuable feedback from the community from your numerous interactions.
• Marketing your product, has never been easier, with access to large amounts of information on your audiences likes, dislikes and behaviour.
• Ability to target a Niche Market online, is alot easier, than targeting offline, through Newspaper, or Television Media

An important thing to note, and watch out for when engaging in social media marketing, is to make sure that someone is able to monitor and watch your consumers, as negative feedback can be generated in this 'two way conversation with the consumer', and spread concern and disruption with your marketing strategies.

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