build your social networks using targeted email lists

These days, social networking is becoming more and more of a viable marketing tool. Rather than spending significant amounts of money on old media advertising, political campaigns and non-profits are using sites like linkedin, Facebook and Myspace to reach out to an even larger audience that is specifically targeted to their demographics, for a relatively small investment.

Nonprofits and political campaigns are using these social networks to fundraise, disseminate news, publicize events and drive turnout and build overall awareness of their cause.

Here is an idea to use data to build your online social networking reach- build your email list, append it with demographic data, segment it and use the contact import tool that most of the sites are offering now to send out targeted invites. You change your invitation based on the info you have on the person.

Of course, each person is going to have to add you, but this is a great way to increase the likelihood of that happening. It also saves you time and should build your campaign or organization a nice base for your social network.

Facebook import tool
LinkedIn import tool