While Facebook, Twitter, Geolocation, and other memes dominate the “social media” buzz, savvy marketers understand the importance of authentic communication with engaged and intent consumers, best found in online forums. We will demonstrate ways that great communities create symbiotic opportunities with marketers, explain how to accentuate the right aspects of your statistics and audience, and showcase strategies for improving your sites’ content to appeal to advertisers. Dan is a graduate of Stanford University, 9 time All-American gymnast, and former international competitor for the US National Team. Starting his career in enterprise software, Dan held key positions in Sales, Business Development, and Marketing. Stars aligned in 2007 when his oldest brother Ted, a career engineer and technologist approached him with the concept behind Huddler.

1. ForumCon SF 2011 Forums: Where Purchasing Happens in Social Media

3. Ad Networks/Remnant: Adsense Ad Networks

4. Affiliate links: Viglinks/Driving Revenue, Ebay, etc.

6. Unprecedented Adoption Recent Survey by Alterian of 1,068 Global Marketers: “66% of marketers will be investing in engaging consumers via social media channels in the coming 12 months”

8. Conversational

9. “Real-time” – nothing more real-time about Twitter than forums…still asynchronous communicationABSOLUTELY FORUMS ARE SOCIAL MEDIA – so why don’t we get as much love? That’s why we’re here…

10. Marketer’s Ideal: Engagement AND Intent Intent Ideal Blend: Forums? Engagement

11. Forums are Social, but based on Shared Passion “I love J Brand’s new Agnes black denim, any other ideas for a classy black skinny jean?” “Seeking recommendations for the very best audiophile over-ear headphones on the market today?” Where Purchasing Happens in Social Media “What is the best high quality whole wheat flour for daily baking needs…?” “We’re planning our big day, thinking Cabo…we need a great resort and amazing local photographer!?”

12. So What?!

13. Savvy Marketers are hip to the new reality Past Present “Many marketers focus on media spend (principally advertising) rather than on driving advocacy. The coolest banner ads, best search buys, and hottest viral videos may win consideration for a brand, but if the product gets weak reviews – or worse, isn’t even discussed online – it’s unlikely to survive the winnowing process.” –Harvard Business Review, 12/2010

16. How many natural search visitors came to your site using queries containing your target advertisers’ brand? Their product category?

17. Accentuate the positive – high time on site? Huge re-visit frequency? Huge audience? Lots of activity? Help advertisers work with you and your influencers to influence your intent users

19. Focus groups

20. Product Sampling

21. Contests/Giveaways

22. Structured interaction within the community

23. Understand potential advertisers’ goals and what you can realistically provide

24. Product feedback?

25. Buzz?

26. Brand Loyalty?

27. Positive association?

28. Sales?Examples!

30. Philosophy of letting brides share not only with one another, but directly with vendors on the site

31. 1:1 conversations with vendors become 1:many conversations because of “lurkers”

34. Tell us your BFF story and get a free photo shoot

35. Review writing contest for free nights at resort in Mexico

38. Understand their goals

39. Understand your strengths

41. Context is Key Response to review on video game community Response to same review on Facebook