Social media marketing: Catalysts of world change

Social media marketing has evolved itself and come to a stage where it can affect our world in a positive way. Over the years, the means and methods of communication have changed faster than we could imagine.

From emails to social networking sites to twitter, the social media marketing has penetrated deeper not only amongst masses, but into our psyche as well.

These social media have made it possible to get in touch and send message in a blink of an eye. The speed and ease with which they facilitate networking are making it more popular and ever growing. You do not need to have knowledge of computers and networking to get hooked by these social media. It has wiped off all boundaries by allowing sharing of views, images and videos.

Changing roles of social media

Though these social media started as a means to communicate and share; they are fast being utilised for other purposes as well. Business and marketing people are looking at it as a platform to spread a word of mouth. Many times, they are aggressively using social media to talk about and advertise their products and services. The speed and spread of social media is so fast and vast that nobody can ignore it if he desires to widen his business and social base.

Most importantly, the web is fast becoming an all encompassing social awareness platform that is going to change the world of the better. Social issues and ecological concerns are fast utilising electronic media to raise awareness. Some of the tools that are being used for social media marketing are mentioned here:

• Widgets: These are small standalone applications that can run within your webpage. The best of the widgets are responsible for raising various social awareness issues like climate change, recycling waste, breast cancer, etc.




• Business networking: Sites like LinkedIn and JustMeans are encouraging networking among likeminded people. While registering with these sites, you are asked about any positive change that you will like to see in the world. It wants to congregate business associates to initiate social consciousness.




• Twitter: It is indeed the most happening way to keep in touch with the people. It limits your twitting and news to 140 characters. This reduces any chances of gibberish and beating about the bush. Everybody is on the fast track and twitting provides the most concise and clear way to express your concerns and issues.




• Hugg and dig: These two .coms allow users to comment on issues concerning them. These also give power to the people to decide and vote about the news matters the most and not get forced by irrelevant news broadcast by news channels.




• Make the difference: Celebrities endorsing social causes and launching campaigns are not so uncommon. An attempt by Jessica Biel with her brother and father to bring together charitable organisations, business people and celebrities has resulted in Make The Difference Network. This network has celebrities propagating their heartfelt causes.




• Conscious shopping: We shop every day without letting our consciousness come in. alonovo and OsoEco are two sites that help you choose social and eco friendly products in consultation with other aware consumers. The proceeds from your purchase are also spent on good causes.




• Get live: Uploading your personal videos is not new to the web. Utilising them for social cause is gaining momentum on youtube and ustream.tv. It does not cost you heavens to webcast your message; in fact it is becoming as cheaper as any other means of spreading message.




• Pull people: Get your own social network going. Invite socially aware people to contribute and share a cause. Also drive traffic to sites encouraging social and environmental causes. Many sites offer rewards for pulling traffic.

In short, web is once again ought to prove that humans are social animals; and if we do not care for our planet, who else will? Social media marketing is well equipped to handle the situation.