Social Networking Marketing is not free or easy...

Since RVibe is an Internet based media company, we do a lot of work in the social media space. And, when I a say a lot of work, what I mean is a lot of work. I have long believed there is a common (mis)-perception around social media (and I’ll lump “viral” programs into this as well) that it’s an easy, cheap, and quick way to get exposure. I’m here to say - it’s not true. Now, yes, there are cases of hits that strike the web. But at this point, it’s got to be fairly well known (although from the investment pitches I have seen lately, not among entrepreneurs) that you just can’t predictably create viral products . And for that matter, attempting to leverage social media to make a product react virally does not work reliably either. And moreover, to actively use a Social network based marketing program, it is very very labor intensive. For a startup alone, we’re talking at least 2 full time staff, even if they are really really good. Finally, I think people are starting to realize that - Jeremiah is a good one for a clear view of this so what’s a start up to do when “viral” marketing programs, based on Social network products actually require time and money? Same thing as they should always do: plan accordingly and spend on marketing where their audience is.

Originally published on WordPress on June 23, 2009. Migrated to this blog on May 29, 2025.

Originally published at dbmcco.github.io.

BackAll writing →