PCWorld offers tips on how companies can mine customer data without intruding on privacy. The article suggests that companies post a whitepaper and have interested customers gain access by entering contact information; set up a company fan page on social networks and allow people to follow it; monitor Web site traffic using various services that capture such data; use the company's current mailing list to ask members which social networking sites they use the most, or buy a customized list from a database broker. Whatever the method, the report suggests, for example, that it's important for companies to follow the rules by not asking for more information from customers than needed and clearly stating opt-out options.
Full Story