Enabling your site for social media is one strategy, but actually building a social strategy around the community that gathers there is quite another. The two shouldn’t be mixed up… one is about tools, the other is about people. Keep in mind that there are many, many sites that don’t have all the new fangled tools, but have incredible social activity on them.
For ages, people have asked peers they trust for recommendations on products and services. Today, whether it’s for a go-to hairdresser or a reliable auto mechanic, consumers continue to want proof that something is worth purchasing or investing in before they actually make the commitment. Where do they find that validation? From experienced customers in close social circles as well as loose circles that are developed in online communities.
Social Influence - Using the Power of Social Media To Attract A Crowd of Loyal Followers
Social media is a world of its own, it has redefined the meaning of interaction and reality.
Building trust is critical! Nice infographic.