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Here at Customers Are Always I talk a great deal about joining the online conversations that your customers are having.  But where do you go to find those customers?  In the video below Mike Sansone of ConverStations illustrates that in order to reach your customers, sometimes you have to pay attention to what he calls "the fringe"...(Feed readers click here to watch)

I would add that you can also develop relationships with bloggers that are indirectly related to your business.  For instance, if you're a real estate agent who blogs, you can find interior designers in your area who blog and establish relationships with them.

However, before you jump in and join the conversation, it's best to listen first.

Francine Hardaway of Stealthmode Partners says:

"In these communities, before you give advice or circulate your marketing messages, you first have to LISTEN to what's happening in the community."

Get a feel of what people like and don't like.  What seems to be the hot topic of conversation?  What kind of advice can you offer?  Remember that people usually go online to find information to solve some problem that they have...