Take a minute to analyze the graph below, it might just help you in your endeavor to increase sales.

This information is pulled from a service offered by Google called Trends. Google Trends displays aggregated graphs of information mapping the amount of a specific word or terms searched using Google. Simply, it lets you see what people are searching for, and to what degree of interest searchers have in specific words or terms. What this provides practically is a way to help determine what is on the market’s mind.

A market, in this sense, is the people you are trying to target to purchase your particular goods or service. Of course, specific markets look different dependent on the specific product being offered. However, what Google Trends allows is a visual representation of what interests’ people enough to search Google to find information on that subject.

Now back to the graph. If you paid any amount of attention to it (if not, go back up and glance at it), you would notice a few different things happening. One of the first things to notice is the two separate graphs displayed. One (the top) is the search volume – how many people are searching for your specified terms. The bottom graph shows the amount your terms are mentioned in various online news sources.

Image: Jigsaw by Jupiter Images

Next and most importantly, pay attention to the different colored lines and their pattern on the graph. This graph is the result of typing in the terms “blogging” and “social networking” in the search bar. Most people, I think know the function and importance of blogging. If not, stay tuned because I am sure I will be delving into that subject a bit later. What many of you might not realize is the importance and benefits of being involved in various social networks.

In its simplest form, social networking is the term used to describe how, what, and why people share, interact and participate together online. There are some key players in this venue including MySpace and Facebook but there are several other contenders as well. I can’t get into all the details this information provides right now, but suffice it to say that getting involved in social networking is something all artists should consider. Stay tuned for future posts as I hope to explain some of these intricacies in further detail.

For now, if you are not yet convinced of it’s importance, at least consider getting involved in at least those two top players. And, while you’re at it, check out the Imagekind pages on both Myspace and Facebook. Create a profile if you don’t have one already, and join us! Just make sure to say hello and let us know you joined.