Social Media Optimisation

Sites such as MySpace are popular as they are created by users and sites containing "User Generated Content" (USG) are among the fastest growing websites in the UK. MySpace itself has over 100 million users and Rupert Murdoch has plans to expand advertising on the site further and into more countries.

Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Google, said of the deal between Fox and Google:

"MySpace.com is a widely acknowledged leader in user-generated content and incorporating search and advertising furthers our mission of making the world's information universally accessible and useful."

As sites like MySpace are becoming the first stop for many internet users, it's no wonder that Google wants a slice of the pie.

MySpace may be regarded by some as a dating website or a music network site. However, these types of social networking sites should not be disregarded. The potential to tap into a captive community is breathtaking and allows you to create a buzz around your brand.

Making sure Google finds your site is even more important when you consider the growth of these sites and their struggle to fund their services. Reportedly YouTube's founders are operating the site with major debt which has led them to signing a deal with a major mobile phone operator in America to run a "battle of the bands" promotion.
(See Wired's story on this)

Collaboration between FOX and Google is the beginning of companies taking "Social Networking" seriously - get in now and you could reap the rewards.

Google playing safe
Although Google has taken its own shot at social networking with products like Google Co-op and Google Video, the search giant' s latest venture allows the company to monitor the success of MySpace while drinking in the profits of it, too.

Considering social networks as part of the "marketing mix" has many benefits and goes beyond sponsored adverts as you can create an integrated campaign across many platforms.

Our social network marketing expertise includes:

As online marketing specialists we can combine our communications and copywriting skills to help your business thrive in the changing internet landscape.

Contact us to help your business thrive online

Although MySpace is used as a promotional tool for bands and music artists, some other businesses have jumped on the MySpace bandwagon:

MinistryofSound

Drink and Draw promotion

Movie promotion: Snakes on a Plane

Scoopt photo promotion

It's an idea to watch out for bad publicity on the site, too.

See:

Against Tesco