Making News

(Sept. 11, 2007)

LOGGING ONTO YOUR KIDS’ FAVORITES
IS BENEFICIAL TO YOUR BUSINESS
By Nikki Harmon and Ashley Mayfield

Today’s younger generations were surfing the Internet almost before they could walk, so it should come as no surprise that the newest trend in marketing can be found online. Web sites like MySpace, FaceBook and YouTube, are pushing the boundaries of online marketing with interactive initiatives that strive to make consumers “friends” with these progressive brands. 

MySpace doesn’t simply represent a social gathering. Seemingly overnight, it has become one of the hottest marketing tools on the Internet. Magazines, television shows, record labels, bands, filmmakers, and even celebrities, have a “profile.” It is a new means to contact and interact, creating a personal brand experience for consumers. 

Aquafina has an interactive MySpace page where viewers can watch its TV ads, play games, and create their own waterscape painting. Our planet launched the “60 Seconds to Save the Earth” campaign including a video contest hosted by Cameron Diaz. XM radio launched the “Show Us What Ya Got”  campaign to find the next hip hop star. Even today’s presidential candidates have profiles! MySpace launched the Impact Channel back in March, which lists all candidate profiles and houses a voter-registration tool and public-service job listings!

Not every business is going to suit the MySpace or FaceBook demographics, but if yours does, take some time to consider the benefits of pulling off a successful campaign.  If you can “crack the cool” and gain popularity within these online networks that can also promote your business, the publicity payoff is monumental.

The use of video marketing to drive consumer traffic to Web sites is also quickly becoming a successful online marketing strategy for small business owners and Internet marketers. Providing a traditional Web site only allows you to reach those people who first find your Web site.  However, combining video, social networking and some simple video marketing techniques will drive hordes of qualified visitors to your Web site.

Google and other search engines are beginning to give videos hosted on sites like YouTube preferential search engine ranking. It’s quite possible your video could end up on the first page of search results for your targeted key phrase. Consider making a video tightly targeted toward your niche. Real estate agents might make a video introducing themselves and showcasing a few of their available homes, while home builders may create video “commercials” with homeowner sound bites. A manufacturer can even make a video demonstrating the latest products or a how-to install guide. This incredibly powerful not to be overlooked, as is what will make your video marketing efforts well worth the time you invest in them.

Web communities like MySpace, FaceBook and YouTube have the potential to provide tremendous marketing benefits if you can make it work for your business. It’s certainly not an exact science, and just like any viral marketing campaign, it can be a hit and miss process…but it’s well worth the effort to stay at the forefront of the new media movement.

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