I was just reading Chris Brogan’s interesting and engaging article about Cafe-Shaped Conversations
The major point he makes is this. Why should large corporations only want to talk to relatively small audiences via social media when they’ve already got their own networks in place to address millions?
One issue concerns me here. What is to stop these major corporations planting people within the social media networks to conduct subliminal advertising campaigns? I’m not talking along the lines of magpie style tweets or blatant pushing of a product – that will simply get such people quickly unfollowed.
I’m thinking here of something along the lines of a method I saw described recently, where a company will pay you to talk up a product to your friends and family. Now if this can bring results – i.e increased sales – in face to face situations, why wouldn’t it work online, within social media networks?
I am not for one moment suggesting this is a ‘good thing’ but I could see some larger businesses at least trying this kind of approach.
Would you be willing to write about products, and promote them in places such as Friendfeed, Facebook, and Twitter. Promoted in such a way that it looks like your truly a fan of them?
Personally, I think it’s totally unethical, and that one should declare ones interest, but, money talks.
Your comments, as always, would be most welcome
I think they're already there. Remember all those stories about “word of mouth” agents at places like bars? You know, the ones talking about Canadian Club in a loud voice? Those folks are already there.
Same story as before: if you don't know me, don't trust me. Right?
Right? Well, that might be true for you and I, and many other folks too, but there are always going to be those that are gullible and taken in. Of course, that is why and how spammers still exist. It's that 0.001% that fall for it.
My wife tells me I'm too cynical, and perhaps sometimes I am, but if you're trying to sell me something, I always ask myself 'Why are you so keen to push this product?'
Then again, if I find something that in my opinion is good, I'm only too happy to tell everyone, and then I've been asked “What is your real interest in this?' and folks like me don't believe I'm simply being enthusiastic.
It's a dog eat dog world out there.
I think they're already there. Remember all those stories about “word of mouth” agents at places like bars? You know, the ones talking about Canadian Club in a loud voice? Those folks are already there.
Same story as before: if you don't know me, don't trust me. Right?
Right? Well, that might be true for you and I, and many other folks too, but there are always going to be those that are gullible and taken in. Of course, that is why and how spammers still exist. It's that 0.001% that fall for it.
My wife tells me I'm too cynical, and perhaps sometimes I am, but if you're trying to sell me something, I always ask myself 'Why are you so keen to push this product?'
Then again, if I find something that in my opinion is good, I'm only too happy to tell everyone, and then I've been asked “What is your real interest in this?' and folks like me don't believe I'm simply being enthusiastic.
It's a dog eat dog world out there.