e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

Kevin Robb

I am looking for feedback on the value or otherwise of Social Networks.

MySpace, Squidoo, Digg and a myriad of others out there, are you using one or more of them and for what purpose?

Is it just the latest "Big Thing" or can you actually profit from participating?

Let's here it!

Cheers Wink

Kevin Robb

G11-Tech · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 13

You can definitely profit from MySpace if you know how to do it properly. Bulletin spamming is not the way to go (it used to be a year or so back), you're best off working with comments and personally (or automatically) contacting the users through private messages.

Keith Winton · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 89

Can you provide a little more detail as to how you are using MySpace please?

It is my understanding that the rules on MySpace have changed considerably recently or do you still have a fair bit of freedom in regards to what you can and can't do?

Keith Winton

G11-Tech · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 13

Sure.

MySpace is very very different to what it was a year ago. Bulletin "spamming" wasn't that big of a deal, so you could pay people to send out a bulletin about your site to say, 250k profiles for $30, and easily get away with it. The results were usually good - I'd usually get 4-5k visitors from each bulletin sent out.

Nowadays you have to use software (such as Badder Adder) to send out comments to profiles about your site. The results aren't as good as what bulletins could achieve, but it still works.

Kevin Robb · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

4-5K visitors to each bulletin is a good result but what did you do with them?

Are you running a promo for your own product, an Affiliate site or just driving traffic to an Adsense site?

If any of the above what were your conversions like?

Cheers Wink

Kevin Robb

Chris (cat) · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:30 am Post subject:

I must say I have pretty strong veiws on these matters, especially when it comes to myspace...

I started on myspace when it first appeared some 3 years ago and I only use it as a social outlet, in other words I don't do business on it or market on it.

I use it as an online diary and for writing on personal growth and such subjects which is my second passion apart from IM.

I find it discusting that people ues it as a marketing tool. We all deplore spam in our inboxes and people who use myspace to find friends and socialize... it's is their inbox very similar to our own. So why do you think it is alright to spam them when they are not interested in what you are selling!!!

Go find your target market and sell to them... Don't voilate and spam people just because you can ot to make a few bucks, it's appaling.

Onto the other social bookmarking sites and social sites many of which do have business sections and criteria, these can be of help.

That being said, as always they are starting to be abused link wise and unless this slows down Google and the other big SE's will bring it all to abrupt holt just as they did blog spam.

Again, go where the markets are. If you think there is a decent size market on these sites for your products, then they are worth a look at and some work.

Remember though, they are another medium to get word out about your product... but they are just one method amongst the many.

Cheers, Chris

Keith Winton · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 89

You make some valid points Chris.

Like many things in life often people seize on an opportunity but all they do is spoil it for those that respect things as they are.

Social Networks have a place but unfortunately some are losing there appeal simply because some choose to use them as a vehicle for spamming hundreds of people.

The old adage applies to Social Networks, by all means use them but don't abuse them.

Regards

Keith Winton

busybeehelpers · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 40

I have been noticing some results from myspace. I joined some of the groups and have really been generating some interest in my business and in working with others for the benefit of all our businesses. So, yes there is potential with social networking.

Kevin Robb · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:48 am Post subject:

See my post http://www.ebusinessformula.com/forum/about1280.html this provides another opportunity for promotion.

It is a new social content site http://www.dropjack.com

Cheers Wink

Kevin Robb

harvcr · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 41

I use myspace and I've been tracking and seem what some internet marketers are doing with it to create leads and all that. However, many people are aware that there are so much scam out there that they don't pay attention to those marketing bulletins.

To be honest, I don't think myspace marketing through bulletins is going to work for much longer. None of my friends believe that there are free ring tones out there...

Internet marketers are overpopulating myspace and many users don't like it anymore...

Cheers! Exclamation

AJH · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

Ever since Facebook has opened up to users, not in college, it has become a good network. I find more and more people I know have closed their MySpace and went with Facebook. I have personally had more interest from Facebook. Has anyone else used this site?

Kevin Robb · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject:

I have heard a lot about Facebook although I have not spent the time to follow up on it.

What does Facebook offer that is different to the other Social Networks?

Cheers Wink

Kevin Robb

AJH · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

Honestly, I think that Facebook is cleaner. MySpace has a lot of layout issues. I will go to people's profiles and not be able to view it, because the layout is messed up. I also get a lot less spam on Facebook. Does anyone else use this site?

Keith Winton · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 89

I'm not really sure why these new "Copycat" sites seem to be popping up with regularity?

I still don't see clearly how the initiators make money from them, am I missing something here?

Regards

Keith Winton

AJH · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

I know that they make money from the advertisements that are placed throughout the site. Every click adds up. I have to admit I have seen ads of interest on there and have clicked on them. Really I think the biggest thing that makes them valuable is the number of people. When mySpace got bought it was for the subscriber base. Same thing with hotmail when it got bought. Big companies buy for the number of subscribers on your site.