Lately, it seems like Facebook is trying to define my hobbies. It offers me suggestions on what music I should listen to and what causes I should support. What television shows I should start watching and what products I should buy. And each suggestion is backed up with a hint of peer pressure, telling me who on my Facebook friend list is already a vocal supporter of said product/issue.

My favorite suggestion has been for a product called Bacon Salt. According to SmartBlog, the frequency with which the product that makes everything taste like bacon has been showing up on my news feed is no coincidence–the company has built their marketing plan around social media.

Their strategy was to first identify people already singing the praises of bacon –apparently 37,000 had already declared their affections on MySpace alone–and offer these individuals a first taste. They also have a blog, Twitter and YouTube videos, which are largely populated by user-submitted content. Each page of their Web site also includes links to join their social media networks and add personal testimonies or videos.

While bacon may not be the most likely candidate to spur a grassroots movement, it does seem to be working. You can find them in your local Kroger or Meier. And of course, on Facebook.

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