Social Media works in the business arena….get with it, ask your kids about it.

We have spoken about the power of the internet and its use as a business tool before. We all have web sites and many are enjoying the benefits of bloggs and video attached to our web sites. The next wave being promoted as a viable business tool is the use of social media. Its allot more subtle a tool, as it resists direct marketing efforts but if used effectively it can provide huge impact on the marketplace. Below is a chart compiled by MarketingSherpa. Check it out. It is screaming ‘use me…’

Though Vertical Response reported a few months ago that 85% of start ups and 75% of established businesses use social media tools, many business are still slow to adopt social media marketing strategies.

MarketingSherpa has now released an interesting chart, see below,  looking at where businesses find social media to be most effective. This is based on a survey fielded in December.

These are some interesting stats. Clearly the effectiveness of social media far outweighs ineffectiveness. Over 90% of companies believe social media is most effective in building brand reputation and awareness as opposed to direct marketing strategies.

“You might expect the revenue-producing goals of direct marketing to rank higher than branding during a recession,” says MarketingSherpa. “The conversational and relationship-building nature of social media, however, is more synonymous with PR, which is more likely to help accomplish branding goals.”

Still, the direct marketing potential is nothing to shake a stick at. The chart illustrates wonderfully that there are a variety of ways your business can benefit by using social media.

The major point here is irrespective of what your specific goals may be in utilizing social media tools like Facebook or YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin etc, as a business tool,  they apparently reach the market very effectively and influence your customers  actions and opinions.

Check it out, if you are unsure of what this is all abut ask your teenage son or daughter they will explain it to you…

Data compiled from online articles, by Chris Crum.

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