A New Breed of Professionals Use Social Marketing Skills to Build Business Online

In a recent survey of nearly 250 independent professionals, more than one-half intend to use new social marketing tools to build their businesses online. Such tools include the use of blogs, email newsletters, and online networking forums that work to understand the needs of clients.

(PRWEB) May 10, 2006 -- In a recent survey of nearly 250 independent professionals, more than one-half intend to use new social marketing tools to build their businesses online. Such tools include the use of blogs, email newsletters, and online networking forums that work to understand the needs of clients.

This is a marked shift from old-school marketing where a business pushes a unique sales message towards the maximum number of potential customers.

New social marketing reflects the philosophy of Peter Drucker, recently deceased business professor: "The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself."

This concept is not new, but now new interactive Internet tools make understanding prospects and what customers want easier than ever before.

The Blog Squad (Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D. and Denise Wakeman) surveyed a group of professionals who are using the Internet to build their businesses. "We were surprised that such a large portion of these professionals already recognize that marketing is no longer one-way. People are using blogs to communicate with customers to more clearly understand their needs," said Wakeman.

In the last few years blogs and interactive web tools have made it easier for professionals to connect with customers, to understand their needs and wants, and to build relationships before selling. "I think this survey shows a shift in marketing philosophy to include the social aspects available through newer online marketing tools," Dr. Krakoff added.

Dr. Krakoff and her partner Denise Wakeman ran a month-long survey to ask what would be the most important marketing skill for professionals to master for the future.

A copy of the survey and full report is available online at their blog site, Build a Better Blog: (http://snipurl.com/Marketing_Survey )

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