Reaching prospects is often costly and difficult to do but ICM Solutions makes it easy! ICM Solutions is a consulting firm that aims to help businesses across all industries understand the trend of Internet Community Marketing. Traditional methods of marketing are outdated; the Internet is the key to future marketing. Leveraging web tools can help businesses develop more effective strategies, improve customer relations, and most importantly, reveal new prospects!

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Community marketing creates communities around products. ICM Solutions takes advantage of Internet technologies to extend these communities. By linking consumer identity and perceptions of belonging to these products, companies can achieve stronger consumer loyalty. The following are frequently asked questions about community marketing:

• How does it work?
• Why does the conversation affect consumers?
• Why join the conversation?
• How can a corporation enter the conversation?
• Can I find the definition on wikipedia?

Community based strategies treat the market like a conversation between consumers. Joining this conversation allows companies to connect with consumers on a more personal level.

Two reasons: trust and reassurance

1. Consumers trust peers—fellow consumers are seen as disinterested and objective information sources about the products they have purchased
2. Consumers wish to feel connected—when making a purchase, consumers want their peers to approve of their product selection; consumers often justify product selection on the grounds that their peers have selected the “better” product
   

1. In the age of Tivo and the browser, consumers can bypass traditional advertising strategies. Advertisers must therefore participate in more informal consumer conversations.
2. The opinions of fellow consumers carry a greater sense of objectivity and accuracy than overt advertising methods. Companies that enter the consumer conversation gain a voice of authenticity that increases consumer trust.
3. With increasing consumer access to information and communication, corporate failures to participate in consumer conversations insulate companies from consumer desires and dissatisfaction.

Community Focused Companies:

Sun: Java Forums
Oracle: Technology Network
Microsoft: Channel 9 Forums
Intuit: Developer Network
Intuit: Support Forums
Quickbooks Blogs and Forums
Simply Hired: Simply Forums

1. Listen—monitor consumer demands and satisfaction
2. Participate—interact and connect with the consumer to successfully market products
3. Own the conversation—gain legitimacy as an accurate source to shape consumer opinion