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For the last week people have been bookmarking, blogging and Tweeting like mad about a new report on social media marketing. Put together by popular blogger and white paper specialist Michael Stelzner, the report features responses from 700 marketers on how they’re using social media to boost their exposure.
The report indicates that whilst marketers are enthusiastically joining the ‘social media gold rush’, few know where to start looking or how to unearth its riches.
Here are a few of the report’s nuggets:
- Nearly 9 out of 10 marketers are using social media
- Most (72%) have only started using social media in the last few months
- Whilst time might be the main expense involved it doesn’t come cheaply. 64% are investing over five hours a week in their campaigns
- The most popular social media tools in order are: Twitter, blogs, LinkedIn and Facebook (only 41% are posting onto YouTube)
- Over half gained greater exposure, increased traffic and new business partnerships from social media
Social media → exposure + engagement
With 85% of small businesses reporting greater exposure, the report’s findings show why social media marketing is becoming so popular, and why it’s not just a passing fad.
Whilst we’re under gloomy recessionary clouds, many marketers can’t afford a new brochure, glossy ads or their own exhibition stand. So the low cost of social media makes it an enticing avenue to explore and play around with.
And a lot of playing around needs to be done because social media is still in its infancy with marketers still only taking their first hesitant steps. This was reflected in the survey’s most commonly asked questions:
- What are the best tactics?
- How can I increase the effectiveness of my campaigns?
- Where, on earth, do I start?
Whilst it’s tempting to sit back and watch whilst others struggle to get it working before attempting it yourself, it’s only through experimenting that you’ll discover how to use social media effectively.
New tactics are needed to get the most out of the new tools. Relentlessly pushing out sales messages isn’t going to work when your audience has the power to switch you off. People now want engaging experiences to go with the product. And to buy from those who’ve taken the time to build a relationship with them.
Social media provides the tools to engage with people and create these relationships.
So, if you haven’t already, open a Twitter account, start blogging and consider starting a Facebook group for your business. Nine out of ten marketers are already doing it, and they can’t all be wrong.
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BDA (Buckingham Design Associates) blog – real people giving real opinions, and a complete lack of agency waffle. BDA deliver an exciting blend of design and creative marketing for the Oxford, Milton Keynes, Northampton and London region.
April 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
This is great. It gave me some insights on what I need to advertise my book Cataclyzm.