Social Media Affect on Corporations

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Social Media has become one of the most widely used applications on the Internet.  Blogging lets the regular person get their ideas and beliefs out to the public.  Even on a small scale, these writings can change an individual view.  But in the world of business, all this on the Internet means free marketing research.  According to Candice Choi, a writer for the Marin Independent Journal, she says that sites such as Facebook aren’t just for goofy pictures and chatter (Choi).  Companies are using the information on these sites to dictate what’s in stores this holiday season.  For example, Macy’s decided to carry denim jeans in bright neon colors rather than pastels based on a social media poll.  Wal-Mart is also letting customers decide which toys they want discounted (Choi).  There is no concrete evidence that says these tactics will raise sales for their companies, but the bottom line s that al this online chatter is actually market research (Choi).  Jennifer Kasper, the head of head of digital media at Macy’s, claims that having the customers feel like they are insiders has an affect on their brand loyalty but also helps better tailor their products (Choi). 

All of this is important to my career as a marketer because this shows that Internet marketing is growing not only in retail but with small businesses as well.  It will be important for me to learn how to acquire good data and how to analyze it into something useful.  They are offering an Internet marketing class now at San Francisco State that I plan on taking and will help me build the skills I need to be a good marketer in the modern business format. 

Source

Choi, Candice.  Facebook users guide store direction.  Marin Independent Journal, Page A10, published 12/19/12