How Facebook Has Contributed To The Consumer Buying Processs

Effective targeted marketing depends on researching, analyzing and predicting consumer behavior.  Marketers need to be able to figure what excites, motivates and empowers customers into making a purchasing decision.  Depending on the type of product, product life cycle, mass appeal potential, there are several reasons that will determine whether your prospect converts into a customer. Successful marketers understand a customers needs and designs the type of products that meet those needs and then convinces the customer in a cogent manner that their product will solve their need or problem. The customer must perceive that it is the marketers product or brand that will be the solution to their need. For example, the decision to buy your laptop or computer involves a number of decision making steps. The general mode is you start with a frame of reference. This frame of reference usually involves first determining what your requirements are then doing the basic research about available models that meets your requirements. You will search for reviews about the product and maybe consult with your friends or family about the decision.  The positive reviews from your research and your friends will influence you in your purchasing decision. Facebook is an extremely powerful medium that plugs right into the purchasing decision.  Reseach has shown that much of the research that impacts the consumer purchasing decision occurs online. People utilize search engines to research products then use their social networks to float ideas with their friends. The internet has become a facilator of consumer buying trends. The fundamentals of the decision have basically remained the same. What has changed is that you have a global reference resource with the internet and the speed at which this information can be gathered.  Social networking sites especially Facebook are a testament to the internet as a global marketplace of consumer information. Before the social media revolution much of our purchasing decisions involved primarily advertisment in newspapers, television and radio.  Marketing and advertising was mostly controlled and dominated by the large media outlets with the power to broadcast their ideas in a unilateral direction.  There were rarely any feedback loops the prospective buyer could go to and ask questions about a particular product.  These feedback loops were limited one to one conversations involving groups of people in a small circle.   Today, you can research a brand on Facebook and immediately tap into a plethora of conversations about a brand or product. These conversations often-times involve people who have already bought the product or are considering buying the product.  Postive or negative product reviews are posted for all to see. Facebook makes sure that these product reviews don't occcur behind closed doors, but, occur in a forum setting where discussions occur in an open and objective setting. Brands that ignore social media reviews of their products will never understand what their current and potential customers think about their product.  Their brand image is broadcast loud and clear through Facebook conversations. If you think people's opinions of your product don't count, think again. Your Facebook reputation is a widely accepted fact, for better or worse.  Brands that stand out are those that are able to manage their reputation and involve themselves in the social media conversations of their products.  Positive branding involves a new and proactive approach than convential media. It is paramount that brands ensure that their reputation remains positive on Facebook. Facebook retains ach and every discussion and makes them available through their search option for anyone who is curious. With 500 million Facebook users this cannot be ignored. It is a critical part of any brand today that they are featured positively on Facebook. The growth of Facebook consultants with experience in managing brands across social networks is a testament to the power of Facebook and social media.To get more information about the best Facebook media strategy available check the resource link below:

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