Has Marketing Hijacked Social Media?

Original Article from IntelliSites, the smart choice for web design (and SEO!)


Social media sites started out as a way for people to connect to people. For college kids to keep in touch with their friends from high school. For cousins living on different continents to catch up. For people to get 284 happy birthday messages from around the country. For friendly, happy socialization and fun.

But it wasn't long before social media became more than just a free fiesta.

Little by little, marketers started getting in on the party. Now, businesses everywhere have social media accounts. And meanwhile, Facebook takes the details that individuals supply on their profiles and decorates the sides of their pages with advertisements that match up with their interests. So what was once a way for friends to socialize is now another way that advertisers are getting their messages to us.

If You Can't Beat 'Em...Join 'Em

Whether you feel good, bad, or indifferent about the commercialization of social media sites, one thing is clear – if you want to keep pace with your competition, it's in your best interest to take advantage of the entrance of marketing into the social media world.

Here's what joining the social media marketing party can do for you.

1. Show potential clients how modern and tech-savvy you are. Being part of the social media scene gives your company credibility as a business that is in tune with the way people live in 2011.
2. Connect you with your clients – for free. Having social media accounts can keep your clients up to date with what you're doing and keep your company present in their minds. All for free.
3. Allow you to advertise to the right people at the right time. Facebook offers PPC-style ads that appear on the screens of Facebook users who meet certain criteria – criteria you can select. There really is no better way to reach exactly who you want to reach.

Maybe marketing has hijacked social media sites. But marketing has a way of making its way into most types of entertainment. From sports arenas to movies to holiday light displays, advertising and fun seem to go hand in hand. And you know what? No one really seems to mind. People still watch TV and read magazines even though they are littered with ads. And people will still use social media sites if they have to share them with marketers. Facebook and Twitter have already made room for millions of friends ready to socialize and businesses ready to do business.  And there's plenty of room for you too.