Emerging Social Media Sites to Track
Blogged by Nahk.
Just as advertisers are getting a handle on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, a fresh group of social media networks are poised to make a splash in the next couple of years.
These networks have not reached mass adoption yet, so it’s not necessary to get active on all of them immediately. But remember, Facebook only took 6 years to reach 400 million registered users. You should keep an eye on these upstarts to see if their innovative services attract large audiences in the near future.
Learning the ropes on new services before they gain mass traction can help you get value from them faster once they catch on. Monitoring the innovations in the social media space also gives you an indication of how the market is changing and may evolve over the next few years.
The Social Media Sites You Should Explore:
Foursquare – This location-based social network/gaming application is rapidly gaining users and mindshare. Users “check in” at local businesses and earn rewards for frequently visiting participating establishments.
The site receives more than 1 million check-ins per week. Business owners can get value out of Foursquare by offering incentives for users to check in, such as special offers for repeat visitors.
The site lists more than 800 establishments currently offering deals. Those deals could include a free drink or appetizer for the Foursquare user who checks in the most!
Currently available in 45 US cities and many major international cities, Foursquare has plans to expand further and grow its user base over the next year. It has also signed major partnership Zagat that will expand its functionality and usage.
Google Buzz – Google’s latest entry into social networking has the potential to attract rapid adoption, due to its integration with the widely used Gmail and Google Maps applications.
Buzz allows users to post status updates and upload pictures and videos to a Google profile, similar to Facebook and Twitter. A user’s network is formed by contacts they interact with frequently on Gmail. Now, Google Maps users on iPhones and Android devices can view the things other Buzz users have said about businesses in the area.
Loopt – Another location-based social service, Loopt aims to connect its users with their friends by visually displaying their location and availability on a localized map.
Users can connect with friends in the area, see reviews and recommendations of restaurants, and find events in the area that might be of interest. Businesses have tapped into Loopt’s location data to offer targeted promotions.
Loopt is accessible on more than 100 mobile phones, giving it the widest distribution of any of the location-based services. It is currently used by approximately 3 million people. Advertisers should explore the possibilities of interacting and promoting their businesses through Loopt, as well as monitoring posts to judge the sentiment of user reviews.
Hence, if you are a marketer looking for potential opportunities to expand your business then keep your eye on these social networking applications.
Users can connect with friends in the area, see reviews and recommendations of restaurants, and find events in the area that might be of interest. Businesses have tapped into Loopt’s location data to offer targeted promotions.
Loopt is accessible on more than 100 mobile phones, giving it the widest distribution of any of the location-based services. It is currently used by approximately 3 million people. Advertisers should explore the possibilities of interacting and promoting their businesses through Loopt, as well as monitoring posts to judge the sentiment of user reviews.
Hence, if you are a marketer looking for potential opportunities to expand your business then keep your eye on these social networking applications.
