I read an interesting article today regarding the success that companies have reached using social networking and e-marketing. The effects of the social networking craze goes far beyond chatting to an old friend on Facebook, Blueworld or any of the other online communities. This is something that I still need to get used to.
The thing is just that the advertising is done is such a way that people do not even realize that they are being targeted by large companies and by the time that they do, it’s too late.
The great thing, in my opinion, that has lead to the success of e-marketing, is the accessibility that it creates and opens the window between the business or service provider and the target public. The audience can be reached anywhere and anytime, instead of just hoping when they come home from work that they watch TV so that they can see the reccurring ad for the ‘two for the price of one’ special.
They other thing is that the consumers feel a sense of control and in some way one can say that they are in control. Before, the marketer would create an ad and no matter what the public thought of it they had no way to get back to the company and give there thoughts. They would change the channel and that would be that.
With the internet and making the whole thing more ‘e’ the companies loose less money, in the sense that they can reach their target audience more direct and leave the ‘general public’ to be some else’s suckers.
I am unfortunately making use of the public transport system and I am constantly reminded of how we are using the internet no matter were we are. I sat next to a guy that I assume is in his early twenties, and he was downloading something from the internet. The thing is, he was browsing through some pages and the smartly places advertisements led to him clicking on one and taking him to completely different place. Knowing what I know now I was rather impressed.
However, being a cellphone and internet user myself, I sometimes feel that the ads are pushy and irritating. My advice to the markers is simple. Less is more: make yourself seen and be remembered. Sometimes we come back and that is when you have hooked us. Those over-powering sites don’t see me too often , that you can be sure of.
The great thing about the internet, no matter what portal you use to get there, is that it is vast and gives room to play around a for both the advertiser and the user.
