Social Media Optimization

One of the most difficult things to do when discussing the possibilities of social media optimization and social media marketing with people is breaking them of their preconceived notions regarding what marketing means. Sure, they could hang out on MySpace and make a bunch of ‘friends’ or perhaps they could spam YouTube or Digg or something but in the end that’s probably not going to bring you much of an ROI.

So how do you explore different ways to use existing services to their maximum benefit? By stepping outside of the box. And there’s no better way to step outside the box you’re in than by creating a whole new situation, a whole new set of ideas, and doing a bit of roleplaying if you will. I’d been thinking of this and did a bit of searching around to see if something had been done (why do work that others have done for you?) and I came across something interesting: a social media marketing game.

There’s a wiki entry on the game HERE.

It’s not perfect by any means but it’s a good start towards something. If I find some time I might tweak it or reinvent it or make it more … I dunno.. better?

For now though let’s look at what’s done.

Objective:
Promote conversations about what social media tools may be appropriate in different situations.

What you Need:

• Cards from this PDF.
• A brief list of scenarios or companies, projects, products that need promoted.
• People willing to sit around and play your little mind games, divided into teams.

The Play:
Each team gets a scenario, and ten points. Points represent budget (be it time, money, effort). Each card has a budget cost. Each team can draw at random from the deck as long as the cards they have don’t exceed their budget. Blank cards are for any other idea. Based off of this idea they must ask the person who’s putting on the game, how much of a budget their blank idea card is worth.

Each scenario must be discussed and the cards used as tools to further the social media marketing effort. With the tools given to them they must create a brief marketing strategy to present to the other groups. The more creative and effective.. the better.

_________

That’s it basically. It’s just sort of a social media marketing brainstorm session, though I guess if you got people that were really into it, it could be kinda fun. I think one of the main challenges here would be to make the game competitive. Right now it’s not, which is the complete opposite of the real world of marketing and especially the world of social media marketing. But.. it’s a start and a step in the right direction.

Anyone have other ideas on how to make it better? Anyone find any other games?

posted by greg :: Jan.18.2007 :: Social Media Optimization  
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