Your trying to sell stuff get out!!

[David H]

Heres what I'd like to do but will I get barred?

I'd like to set up a Facebook (or a similar social networky site) group all about a certain high street brand trainer with the view that it will have a link to the retailers site but wont I get barred by the administartors if I did this on any of the following sites:
MySpace, FaceBook, You Tube, Scribd, Squidoo

Any insights welcome :-)

[figleaf]

Hi David

I think it is all about adding value - if you set up a blatant sales page, then you are likely to get clamped down and also likely not to get very much traffic. However, if you build a page that truly adds value (history of the product, what makes it unique, some youtube videos, etc) then it is more likely to stay up.

In theory I know myspace do not allow affiliate links while Squidoo positiviely encourage it. Not sure about Facebook but I have seen affiliate links on there. But really it is all about the quality of the page you build.

Simon

[benfriedman]

Squidoo is really good for this kind of thing. I know that you can use affiliate links on Facebook but not sure how it would convert. The group would have to really get peoples attention because I know that a lot of people just agree to join group and won't really read in detail or take much notice of the content. The title and call to action would be really important, I would imagine...

Hope that makes sense...

[David H]

Great answers thank you. I just want to test the whole social marketing concept and know doubt learn tonnes when I get involved...:-)

[strayman]

I would be interested to see how you get along with the social marketing side of things. I myself are testing a few scripts and checking out the barebones of the social networking world.

I do agree with Benfriedman though. Someone can easily agree to join a group but getting them to read what is in it is an entirely different story.

[AllanJames]

Originally Posted by David H Heres what I'd like to do but will I get barred? I'd like to set up a Facebook (or a similar social networky site) group all about a certain high street brand trainer with the view that it will have a link to the retailers site but wont I get barred by the administartors if I did this on any of the following sites: MySpace, FaceBook, You Tube, Scribd, Squidoo Any insights welcome :-)

David, I would suggest that rather than trying to sell on a social site, you instead concentrate on two things:

Branding - usually yourself, but I guess in your case the organisation.

And, once you've grabbed their interest, offer them a way to subscribe (optin) to your list. Then, away from the social site you can develop relationships with the subscribers to your list and, when appropriate, sell to them on an ongoing basis.

If you wish, my profile has a link to my MySpace site. It may give you some ideas.

You will see from the over 2500 friends I have on this site that my page has been around
for some time, and without a trace of a problem.

AllanJames