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Spending Time on Social Networking - Make it Count!

Written by: Stephanie Calahan

Article Overview: Have you set up a Web 2.0 strategy for your business? Do you use social networking sites to build your prospect listing? Do you know if the sites you have chosen are a fit with your target market? Before you take a lot of time managing various social networking sites, make sure that the people using that network are in your target market! Today I'll tell you about a great tool that will help you figure that out.

Spending Time on Social Networking - Make it Count!

Have you set up a Web 2.0 strategy for your business? Do you use social networking sites to build your prospect listing? Do you know if the sites you have chosen are a fit with your target market?

Before you take a lot of time managing various social networking sites, make sure that the people using that network are in your target market! Today I'll tell you about a great tool that will help you figure that out.

Know Your Target!

So, I figure before I go into social networking, I had better take just a few minutes to make sure to explain what I mean about target market. A target market is a group of people that are most likely to want to buy what you have to offer. That is not to say that you would not sell to someone else, this is just where the most likely sale will happen. For example:

* If you sell pizza on a college campus, then your target market might be young adults between the age of 18-24.
* If you sell home interior items, your market might be females between the age of 35 - 54.
* If you sell hot rod magazines, your market might be males between the age 18 - 34.

So, do you know your target? Good!

Get the Data!

In order to know that you are spending your time in the right place, the next step would be to see where your target market "hangs out" on the net. Fortunately, you don't have to do a bunch of time consuming research, because Ignite Social Media recently came out with an awesome report that has really helped me target which social networks I should be spending my time.

You can find the report here: The 2008 Social Network Analysis Report - Geographic - Demographic and Traffic Data Revealed. http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/2008-social-network-analysis-report/

Brian has compiled a slew of data from a number of social networking sites. You can learn the user trends for the site, gender demographics, age demographics, income demographics as well as global location saturation. Whew! That is a lot of information in one spot.

Not only has he collected the info in one spot, but he gives you easy-to-read graphics so that you can review and make decisions quickly.

What To Do Now: Go take a look and see if you have any surprises or if you are spending your time in the right spot. Then, please give me your candid comment and tell your friends and colleagues to read this post and give me their candid comments as well.

I look forward to hearing from you.

To your success!
Stephanie

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Article Tags: age 18, demographics, females, few minutes, global location, hot rod, pizza, rod magazines, saturation, slew, social network analysis, social networking sites, social networks, spending my time, target market, traffic data, whew, young adults



Related Forum Posts
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.
Re: Tactics for Blog Traffic - some more tips to drive traffic to blog or to promote a blog. Squidoo Lens Creation Hub Pages Creation Social Bookmarking (Digg, Delicious, Stumble, Reddit etc.) Be helpful in forums Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, LinkedIn etc.) syndication blog commenting (other blogs) Guest post
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - GT - thanks for the FYI - I'm not sure if we'll put a link back. Something to consider though! Trent - the new category is "Social Network and Media" which was put in to compliment the Online Businesses category that currently exists. Overall the new categories are: - Looking For, Networking and Events - Review My... - Social Network and Media - Brags and Rants These came as a result of Ringo doing research on other forums and thinking about what could be improved on ours to give a better experience for everyone. I hope you enjoy them! David, I'm looking forward to reading your Brag / Rant!
Re: Simple Idea - Great Advice. - What your success stories on Social Networking for more contacts and connections? Do you have any good business books to suggest? I love the idea of connecting and sharing with other entrepreneurs. Thank you for your input!
Re: Social Networking Site Endorsements - You must be cautious in endorsing any one on Social Networking site. You must ony endorse people you are very familiar with. Endorsement people you don't know is not a good thing.


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