Social Shopping Lessons For Social Media Internet Marketers – Trends 2011

Almost half of the American population are now members of a social network. This membership status translates to spending more money online. Research documents that social media users spend, on average, one and one-half times more online than the typical web surfer.

E-commerce has gone social. This bears remarkable implications for social media internet marketers, especially in 2011. The days of one-way, private online shopping are gone.

What are the social shopping lessons for social media internet marketers? Let’s go shopping and find out.

Facebook user spending averaged $67 online during the first quarter of 2010, compared to $50 for the general net citizenry, per Entrepreneur magazine. Social media internet marketers must follow the action.

The first social sites, were online ‘flash’ sales, where deep discounts were directed to online users. Groups involved in this practice include names you know well: Gilt Groupe, HauteLook and DailyCandy. The are known for offering luxe fashion at a fraction of the usual price. Sites like this depend heavily on e-conversations for promotion.

Smart strategy. Per a MediaPost study: ‘more than 59% of users rated “personal advice from friends” as their most influential basis for buying decisions’. More than one-half of Twitter users acknowledge that they “follow” companies, brands or products on various social networks.

With this information, savvy social media internet marketers must go forth and multiply. Personal participation in the give-and-take of online conversations creates influence. Offering helpful advice, problem resolution, filling a need, are subjects an internet marketer must pursue passionately.

Human nature being what it is, failure to connect in conversation, is going to cost you big-time. Responsiveness to your audience will sow the seeds that can plant acres of fields. It takes regular, daily commitment and action. You can’t become a social butterfly from attending only one party.

Collective buying sites are going social too. Groupon and LivingSocial, are taking the lead in big cities. Members receive daily discount coupons from local retailers. These sites allow participants to spread the word about good-and bad- experiences, such as restaurant reviews. The location based apps now available on Facebook and Twitter are highly active as a result of this powerful effect on consumer spending. Internet marketers must include comparable tactics in their repertoire.

Companies no longer have exclusive control over their brand and its image. Branding is now a very personal experience, emerging from interpersonal exchanges between users online.

Consumer product review sites, like ThisNext, Milo and Viewpoints, have fired up the branding iron.. Don’t put out that flame. As an internet marketer, you must keep that home fire burning with your own personal branding.

The lessons to be learned from social shopping lessons are bound to continue to develop. A key part of the social media internet marketer’s job description is staying informed. Follow the conversations. Participate. As 2011 approaches, more lessons will be added to the manual.

Stay tuned. Keep your eye on the sparrow,er-tweet-bird and your social media internet marketing business will prosper.