Marketing using Social networks

Like it or Hate it you just can't ignore social networks like Orkut because of no of users (Orkut has nearly 96 lakhs or 9.6 million Indian profiles).So back after a break I go back to the issue of marketing using social networks like Orkut and I found that MTV India is using it quite well there is a profile created by sumone from MTV who interacts with various people on Orkut has a few photos of MTV office and VJ Sophie also to lend credibility This is quite a interesting use of social networks to promote the brand as the user chats about latest programs on MTV with the guy this gives MTV a direct connect with its target segments the young generation of India.Besides this another method of promotion are the communities which lead to lot of members(MTV India however not all people who are part of community participate in activities of communities and it needs effective moderating also.
Social Networks are being experimented even in USA for marketing purposes with a special emphasis on teens and kids.On marketingprofs a data on teens and tweens use of social network is present and it suggests that they spend equal time on TV and internet this mite become the future in India also with the growth of school kids on Orkut is any indication.Grunwald also makes suggestions to marketers that wish to reach kids on social networks:

• Be sensitive: Marketers must respect social network user's feelings of ownership and emotional attachment to their profile pages.
• Be useful: Marketers will be welcomed if they help kids reach their online goals - kids want useful content and tools, parents want skillset-building and educational activities.
• Be fun: Marketers must appeal to young social network users' need to be entertained with music, games, and video.
• Be interested: Marketers should treat young people as their partners to benefit from their ideas and gain valuable information.
• Be innovative: Marketers must help supply kids with new tools that make kids stand out among their peers.