conversation Archives - Page 7 of 7 - Social Email Marketing

As you know, the buying process has changed a lot. People prepare their purchases using a vast array of information channels, including social media, blogs, web sites, peer reviews, etc., prior to actually buying something.

However, those are not the only social changes in the buying and selling process.

In a report by the European research firm, InSites Consulting I read that 4 out of 10 European consumers search for information on brands and products via comparison, expert and user review sites.

The company sees more changes in online shopping but, as I will cover further, in online selling by consumers too. The factors that are influencing these changes include Web 2.0 and social media: social networking, conversing, sharing, tagging, content generation and community participation.

It is often said that there is one great thing about blogs and social media, and one equally bad thing.

The great thing, obviously, is that they have given a voice to thousands of intellectuals, remarkable people, and revolutionaries that would have otherwise gone unheard. Thousands of new ideas are out there, millions of people are joining the conversation, and new relationships are being created every second of every day.

Of course, the bad thing is that every idiot (including me), every incompetent businessperson, and every malicious internet user has a voice. From abusive blogs to outright hate speech social media groups, the issue of abusive and malicious content on social media networks is one that’s attracted a lot of strong opinions and a lot of discussion.