As in the past, many more people are turning to playing games on the internet. While some call it the past others call it a waste of time. What detractors fail to see, and what gamers integrate into, is the social aspect of online gaming.
Does this open up new marketing channels?
What would be a great way to make marketing and advertising fun? Now, some people find that fun apart from that, but what if you could make that game? This is the next development in social networking. In fact, it’s more than the evolution of social networks as more than just a place to “hang out”. Now you can “hang out” and play games at the same time.
More marketers are catching on to the idea of using social networks as a viable way to market their business. This is a great way to show the personality behind the business and give potential customers a way to differentiate you from your competitors.
Advertisers and marketers need to treat this area with care. Because when you get into people’s social networks, you can’t just run out with your arms waving and saying “hey, buy my stuff!”. It’s just rude and could end up getting you kicked out.
Increasingly, products and services are being offered free of charge, at least on a trial basis. Since it’s so easy to give free trials of digital products on the internet you can offer this to new friends instead of trying to sell you something “hey I have this cool stuff, maybe you know someone who wants it, here’s a free trial”.
In the world of online gaming, there is a market that is much more focused. There are some dynamics at work here. You have people looking for games that are fun to play, and then you have serious gamers who want to play their favorite games better so they can “take all the comers.”
So if a company is marketing a nutritional supplement or cleaning product, this isn’t the right group for that. While each group will have people who share a variety of interests, social networks tend to attract people from specific interest groups.
A more precise product may be a strategy guide for backgammon.
In a scenario where you have immersed yourself in the market playing the game, it would be a simple matter of mentioning a guide on the way to play. Something like “… even though I’m playing well now, the last week was * terrible *. This book I found on the internet helped me a little. I might even start winning money on this! Lol” Your opinion and suggestions will continue to value. grow as you build relationships with people in your network “
The more relationships you can build with people online, the more value you place on your opinions and suggestions. If you mention your product or business the first time you meet, then it’s like barging into a room and trying to sell your stuff.
Always keep in mind that this is an analogue of the physical world.
Pay attention to your manners, be kind, and be sincere. Yes, you may be a marketer, but you are human too. Likewise with other names in your network. Treat them with respect.
Once you get to the point of being known as a “trusted person” you may be able to make recommendations about areas outside the gaming environment. Say for example you become known for being “in the game” quite often it could be natural for other players to ask what kind of work you are into. It becomes a natural opening to mention this business you are in that gives you the kind of freedom to spend a lot of time playing games.
If you can show that you can even make a living through gaming, then that could be a serious point of interest.
The benefit of working in a social network fringe is that you may only make a few new friends. This is much more likely if you join a network and play a game that you are really interested in.