360DigitalInfluence

It seems like every marketers new idea is to put something on Facebook…create an application, poke a friend or post a widget.   Facebook seems to be the new “it” idea for how marketers are going to get consumers interested in and interacting with  their brands.   Well, surprise, surprise, there is a whole web full of great ideas. I would suggest to those savvy fashion, beauty and lifestyle marketers to not waste time on Facebook and try out a few new sites that are lazer focused on and targeting your consumers.  

In just spending a short time on the Web, I came across  a few  really cool, new sites that are worth checking out, especially if you are into fashion.   The first is www.chictopia.com.   It is exactly like Facebook, but for fashionistas.   It is an online community where fashion savvy consumers can upload photos of themselves or others they have styled as well as browse others cool collections and styles.   There is so much more available at Chictopia like user reviews of stores, comments to photos, forums discussing designers and trends, and you can even learn about notable fashion events around the world.   Unlike some of the other fashion social networks, Chictopia also has blogs.   Now for those marketers who work in fashion and are not members, shame on you…you have to join.   Even to get an idea of what is going on in the industry and  what the community is saying.   Afterall, these are the influencers.   Options to host contests, post store information or designs, ask about trends, are only a few things marketers could begin tapping into.   I am sure one of these up-and-coming fashionistas are looking for their lucky break.   They would love to exclusively try on one designer and promote the brand via photos and posts.

The other site I came across (albeit very similar) was www.closetcouture.com.   Fashion lovers, this site is for you.   It is the place where style seekers can find style advice online from the experts.   Do you want to find a personal stylist?   How about wardrobe tips?   It’s all at Closet Couture.   And, you can get peer advice on personal style just by a click of the mouse.   The twist and differentiator for this site is how it helps you organize your closet, all with an e-commerce twist.   You get to try on clothes, make purchases, get advice all while filling your closet virtually.   Opportunities abound as retailers can have a presence on this site for members to purchase items for their closet from retailers closets.   This site is all about a place you can play around with your wardrobe, get advice on your clothes, plan and organize outfits, and make purchases.   I can see many retailers taking advantage of this where they stock their closets for online members to search and purchase from.   The online communities who shop these closets will inevitably go in store to buy things they see and like.

Similar  to  Closet Couture is www.stardoll.com, which  lets users dress their own MeDoll or one of the many celebrity avatars such as Alyssa Milano, Heidi Klum and Ashley Olsen.   As if these people don’t have more experienced stylists doing that for them.   I digress.   Anyway, you can shop the site for virtual designer clothes to dress on your doll.   There seemed to be some designers taking advantage of the site such as Jordache jeans and Fallen Angel.   However, when you go to dress your celeb, there don’t seem to be  any labels there.   Soon, marketers…so  be on the look out.   This is your opportunity to brand  the designs.   Or, you can open a virtual store (as a retailer of course) for members to shop to dress their doll.   It seems childish, but if you are into clothes, celebs and styles, it’s a good way to pass time on a boring day!

Now don’t get me wrong.   I don’t dimiss Facebook as an option completely; it is a great way to reach the consumer.   However, when you know your target and a social networking site exists to match that target, your dollars are much better spent  on a site and in a place where  you know will impact your target consumers.