« Mixx Now Facebook Application! | Main | MyBlogLog Has a New Look! »
Free Research Tools - Social Media & Bookmarking Sites
By Kimberly Bock | February 28, 2008
The Visual Romance of Social Media and Social Bookmarking
Knowing your targeted audience begins in the newbie stages. Yup, I did say newbie stages. That would certainly include me and if you are here because you are interested in learning, that would mean you as well. No matter your age, your color, your race or creed, you are researching as we speak. This is the first step in researching your target market and becoming an ace marketer yourself, if that’s what you choose.
John Rhodes Tweeted a comment earlier, “Women tend to have superior language ability so why are most copywriters men? Is it because men are more competitive ,i.e., sales drive?”
It got me to thinking that I’m not the only one on the planet that’s pondering these silly little thoughts at random speed. A melting pot of outbursts and expressive thinking. Once again I see the validity in the unexplored values of Twitter.
(I’m not even going to tell you what I heard Michael say. eeek!)
It’s an environment where people can allow a random thought to do a 360° around a few brain cells, roll down heated veins and relieve itself by release through the fingertips and into virtual oblivion. Maybe in search of reciprocation of some sort. Maybe to expand on a concept. Maybe to receive validation &/or acceptance of who and what we are. Maybe to prove a point. Who knows? The possibilities are endless In the Twitterverse. (I learned the word Twitterverse from Brian who Tweeted it of course. See how much we learn?-smile)
These visual romancers free flow to the eyes of another curious soul who may not have even known to be curious about whatever it was. (now that’s marketing baby)
The expression of a small part of oneself. The connection between one romanced thought to another. A sensual seed planted in virtual joining of ponderers.
I added a Facebook application to my Facebook profile the other day called “Your visual personality“. (for the life of me, I can’t find a URL to direct you to it)
It is a visual personality test. It displays various images of everything from chocolate to sports cars and asks that you choose one that is most appealing to you. It takes you through this process 9 times then logs each image as a tiny portion of your personality as a whole. It then provides a brief summary beneath the images of 3 facets of your personality make-up
- Emotional
- Intellectual
- Physical
This of course is a Facebook application, not Myers Briggs, and is simply for stihs and giggles. But I see how truly (uhem) ‘applicable’ this is in our quest in researching our target audience. Especially in the newbie stage.
Social Media blogs & Social bookmarking sites are becoming invaluable research tools while investing the holistic needs and concerns of those who may find our services or products useful.
How does this correlate with a Tweet, a few blog posts, and a Facebook application?
Social networking tools
The seed was planted (John) which allowed me the pleasure of bringing a thought to fruition along with it. I discarded the drive to be a “rockstar’ in the SEO and SM world recently. Seeing it as being more of a hindrance than a learning tool. So lately I’m more inclined to stay true to the promise I made to you. To learn and pass it on. I am a grateful follower of many powerhousers that are jam packed with minds that never cease to amaze me and I only know this because I am actively using social tools.
These are the parts of Social Media that can provide the greatest education. People will rub you the wrong way, the right way, and every way in between. You will either use this to empower yourself and your knowledge base or you can wallow in a pool of belt loops that are screaming to be held.
Wallowing sucks. Follow those you learn from, yes. Become a permanent fixture that’s attached to their hip, no. You can’t get ahead in business or in life that way.
Social Media Blogs
Annie touched on color branding recently. points reviewed:
- Geographic targeting
- Niche targeting
- Mood
She made excellent points which can all be boiled down to this:
Visual romance
Mark asked a simple question which implored a mutual romance of the mind, “What is your favorite flower?” As you’ll notice in his commentary area, females were not the only ones to reciprocate the love.
Once again, visual romance
Lisas blog post is a direct reflection of the seduction of Marks post. It brought out parts of her personality that she was all too willing to portray. Feminine, strong, authoritative, yet yet wreaking of “I’ve been romanced”
once again showing the power of visual romance
A Facebook application
At breakfast, lunch, dinner and the wee cocktail hours of the morning, thousands upon thousands of people are either joining or have already joined some sort of social bookmarking/social networking site and they are “setting up shop” visually. Creating profiles with colors, images, words, feelings all screaming who they are and what they are about.
Example #1
Hi. My name is Fee Fee and this is my little pooch Foo Foo. We like pink background bubbles and photos of poodles with ribbons, celebrities, and mansions in Beverly Hills.
(ps:After I wrote her descript, I Google image searched using the word “snooty”..She was the second image too funny)
Example #2
Hi my name is Racer. This is my ex bitch Rhonda. She’s a whore. I use skulls and crossbones as a back drop. I like photos of beer kegs, anything Jack Daniels related, Judas Priest, Harley Davidson, and naked chicks. You sure are a cutie. Wanna meet?
When you read profile descriptions you receive a visual so strong, you can almost taste them. (eeek)
Visual romance
If you are an active member of social blogs and bookmarking sites, there’s no denying that you have had the advantage of the best free research tools on the internet.
If you are new to these research tools you can begin by targeting me, Go ahead..I’m a sucker. (smile)
These are the results of my silly little visual personality test.
Let me visually romance you..
Emotional
You’re the strong and independent type, secure in your decisions. If you want something done right, you take care of it on your own.
Intellectual
Weekends are meant for relaxing, not working. Whether it’s grabbing a drink or going out dancing, you know how to unwind.
Physical
There isn’t a sport that you wouldn’t want to try. Whether it’s kite surfing or kickball, you’re always up for learning how to do something new.
Until we meet again, have fun researching!
Topics: Social Media |
February 28th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I can see why these posts inspired you. What a combination you’ve drawn together!
The best copy has an emotional trigger, or better yet, several. Each post you’ve mentioned hits the nail on the head. They’re using emotional sensory cues to connect with their readers, creating as you said, a visual romance.
You’ve done the same thing, connecting them for us. Thanks!