What’s your price tag?

Although I’d agree there is only a tenuous link (if any at all!) between the lyrics in Jessie J‘s new single ‘Price Tag’ and social media marketing, listening to the song made me think a little about social media, its core values and how companies and individuals should apply social media correctly as part of their marketing plans.

In the song, Jessie J sings:

“Seems like everybody’s got a price,
I wonder how they sleep at night.
When the sale comes first,
And the truth comes second,
Just stop, for a minute and
Smile”

The song is clearly about the negative effect of the commercialisation of modern pop music – but I found some interesting parallels with social media marketing!

Social media gives marketers the opportunity to interact and engage with customers in a way that doesn’t push the product in their faces and go for the sale immediately. Social media gives us the chance to build a relationship and a rapport with our audience whilst transparently making it clear who we represent and the benefits our products and/or services can bring to the market.

Social media can also be a lot of fun. Just look at what Old Spice and Blendtec have been doing! Just two of many more examples of companies having a great (and successful) time using social media.

Where the parallels begin to end is when Jessie J sings:

“It’s not about the money, money, money
We don’t need your money, money, money”

Social media marketing is ultimately about making money, just as all areas of marketing are. But it’s how you go about marketing yourself and making money using social media that’s potentially different – and better.

So just as Jessie J suggests, chill out, relax, be true to yourself and smile. Don’t take yourself too seriously, embrace social media as part of your marketing tool kit and engage with your audience. You might just find that they end up selling your product for you!