Online Forums and SMMOnline Forums and SMM

Presented by: Owais Rafiq

SMM Campaign

Peer Influence Analysis

And

WOM in Online Communities

Going

Viral

Peer Influence AnalysisPeer Influence Analysis

Mass ConnectorsPeople who know a wide variety of people

Mass MavensPeople who know stuff

http://www.slideshare.net/Dana-Maven/peer-influence-analysis-7091697?from=share_email

Social Network AnalysisSocial Network AnalysisMany types of Research Methods

of which Social Network Analysis is one

Any Group of people connected by particular social relationships belong to a social network

http://prezi.com/2ipiargvxpwh/social-network-analysis/

Corporate and Non Profit Corporate and Non Profit BloggingBloggingNew tactic and metric to directly target and

influence consumer and/or opinion leaders“Sticky” Blog; details, simplify lives, hapiness,

fun, and bring people together

Non Profits; Creates a conversation, Highlights the organization, lack resources

Effectiveness of NP Blogs ;18% very effective , 55% somewhat effective

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR4C9VF7v94http://www.slideshare.net/kellyrosin/corporate-blogs-7097383http://www.slideshare.net/ClaireSpeed/corporate-blogs-for-nonprofits-claire-speedfinal1

Going ViralGoing Viral1. Keep it short2. Maket them share3. Seeding4. Relevant5. Accessible6. Celeberity use7. Buzz8. Heated Comments9. Data-Driven

http://www.slideshare.net/hemanththiru/how-to-make-viral-promotions-by-marketingyogi

Boards, Forums, and CommunitiesBoards, Forums, and Communities

originated as online bulletin boards     then newsgroups into very specific topic discussions (virtual communities) language, norms, rules, politics, nettiquette- community/culture into itself

◦ Forums are community and are typically founded around a specific topic or community group

now hybrids; blog/forums, social media/forums

Top ForumsTop Forums

http://www.big-boards.com/

Why should I care?Why should I care?New social media websites are in the core, nothing more then differently organized good old forums.Tony Anicic, http://inchoo.net/online-marketing/forums-and-social-media-marketing/

Blogging gets all the publicity but discussion forums and ratings/reviews account for over 60% of the posts about products and service.Peer influence analysis HBR

Companies that ignore their own customer discussion forums do so at their own risk. Mary Cronin, The Internet strategy handbook

The most active forum contributors are mass influencers or ‘Mavens’ Malcom Cladwell, Tipping Point

-80% of impressions come from 6.2% of people -Discussion forums account for 24 million people or 13.4% of

the US online population

So, as marketers we NEED to be ACTIVE in online forums…

Marketers can leverage forums to…Marketers can leverage forums to…

Find out what customers want and issues faced Create targeted (niche) marketing strategies Manage reputation  Build brand awareness 

We do this by, building We do this by, building relationships and credibilityrelationships and credibility

CreateCreate1. Find a forum2. Join it, introduce,

but do NOT add links

3. Add valuable contributions

4. Add your link to your signature

1. Understand your business needs

2. Develop Guidelines

3. Develop a Community

4. Promote your community

5. Managing

ContributeContribute

Takes time to build credibility and relationships…

Questions?Questions?